IW Gazette 73

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COUNCIL SALE SPREE - EVERYTHING MUST GO!

IN A FRENZY of fear over the cuts they have been told to make, the IW Council is busy looking through its jewellery box and has earmarked few choice pieces of real estate to sacrifice in order to save its own castle.

Next on the list for possibly being transferred into private hands is the Guildhall in Newport, but it is the Botanic Gardens in Ventnor that is on the agenda this coming week and a decision is apparently going to be made about its future next Tuesday (October 12).

Also Shanklin Fire Station is earmarked for closure in the near

Continued on page 5

BY JOMACAULAY

Contact the Gazette for News and Advertising: 01983 898340 www.iwgazette.co.uk The Gazette, Friday, October 8, 20102

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GazetteTHE ISLE OF WIGHT

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NEAR MISS AS TREE FALLSA FALLING tree narrowly missed an emergency ambulance and a parked car.

The 60ft-tall beech tree, next to an electrical sub station in Easthill Road, Ryde, collapsed onto the road blocking both lanes at around 9am, Sunday October 3.

One home owner who witnessed the drama unfolding said they heard a loud crack, and rushed outside to see that the tree had fallen across the main road as an ambulance passed by, with several large limbs breaking off as it hit the ground. “We

were all just sat inside and heard a loud crack, looked out and realised it was the tree outside the sub station,” said Mary Heath. “I’ve only just bought my car and it looked like it was going to hit it.”

A Highways Inspector from Newport attended the fall. He said: “We made sure that everyone was safe and nobody was trapped underneath, which fortunately was the case. We have closed off the road. Now our job is done, we just have to wait for the electricity company to deal with the tree.”

Send your news and pictures to us at [email protected]

or call our 24hr News Hotline 01983 898349DO YOU HAVE

NEWS FOR US?

A NEWPORT teenager managed to walked away unscathed after crashing his pimped up Vauxhall Corsa.

The 18 year old man lost control on the Middle Road

near Calbourne Water Mill and Chessell Pottery and flipped the vehicle onto its roof. Police closed the road for nearly two hours while fire crews from Freshwater

and Newport made the vehicle safe.

The teenager lost control after attempting to negotatiate a bend at speed.

Paramedics, who also attended the scene, checked his three friends. One was taken to hospital strapped to a spinal board after complaining of neck pain.

A police spokesman said the car was travelling from Freshwater towards Newport when the driver hit a verge at the side of the road while attempting to negotiate a bend, before losing control of the car and flipping it over.

LUCKY ESCAPE FOR TEENAGER

Contact the Gazette for News and Advertising: 01983 898340 www.iwgazette.co.ukThe Gazette, Friday, October 8, 2010 3

NEWS

BOY ARRESTED AFTERCAT IS SHOT DEAD

A CALLOUS Island yob shot a cat, which died two days later from its injuries. Now police want anyone who may have witnessed the horrendous incident to come forward with information.

A 14-year-old boy from the Isle of Wight was arrested on September 30, on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. He was bailed until October 28 pending further enquiries.

The shooting is reported to have taken place sometime between 10am and 6pm on Saturday, September 25, in East Cowes. The cat was found injured in College Way, East Cowes on the Saturday evening.

Investigating officer PC Justin Pringle of the East Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “The cat was shot in the abdomen with a pellet from an air rifle and unfortunately died two days later due to internal injuries.

“This is a particularly horrific case that has left a young family devastated at losing a much loved pet. The offender needs to be brought to justice for causing unnecessary suffering to the animal, and ultimately its death. The Cowes and East Cowes Safer Neighbourhoods teams are continuing to carry out enquiries as the exact location and circumstances of the shooting remain unknown at this time. We are appealing to the community to establish if anyone witnessed the incident or has information that may assist the investigation.”

Police have also informed animal protection charity, the RSPCA. Anyone with information is asked to phone Cowes Police Station on 101.

PRISON DOWN PANA WING of Isle of Wight Prison has come in for severe criticism over its poor toilet facilities.

At time prisoners at Albany had to go back to the dark days of the ‘slopping out’ procedure, using buckets as toilets, which was officially ended in British jails in 1996.

A report by the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) which was issued this week, was scathing of 10 prisons in the UK, including Albany, which now comes under the umbrella of HMP Isle of Wight.

Because of the lack of space for sanitation at Albany five wings did not have adequate toilet facilities. This led to prisoners being allowed out of their cells at night for toilet breaks. But when the system failed, the whole procedure went down the pan, and prisoners were left locked in cells, and had to use buckets.

The report said: “Five of the wings at Albany had no integral sanitation. If the night sanitation system worked, prisoners had very limited access to toilets during periods of lock-up (which could be 14 hours at a time). If the system broke down, they had none.

“All prisoners were therefore issued with buckets. This is unacceptable in a 21st century prison. The five original (A–E) wings operated a limited computer-controlled access system to sanitation arrangements at night. This meant that there were only three

opportunities to visit the toilet over a 14-hour period each night at weekends. In an emergency or if the system broke down, prisoners were provided with a bucket.

“On A–E wings, after evening lock-up and at midday, an electronically controlled night sanitation system (known as ‘nightsan’) operated on each spur. This allowed one man on the spur out of his cell at a time and permitted a timed period out of cell. When the prisoner returned to his cell, he had to enter a coded number sequence into a keypad to register his return, and then lock his cell.

“This allowed the next prisoner in turn to be able to leave his cell. Each period out of cell was timed

at nine minutes, and prisoners could have three such periods each night. In case of system breakdown, or too lengthy periods between opportunities, a lidded bucket was provided.

“Although the oldest prisoners and those with the most significant mobility problems were allocated to F or G wings, for many prisoners access to the toilet was very limited, and prisoners told us that they sometimes had to use the bucket.

“When the night patrol officer visited the spurs during the night, (s)he had to interrupt the cycle of those queuing to gain access to nightsan, and after (s)he left the spur, the system retained no memory of who had been next in turn to leave their cell.

“This could add significantly to waiting times to use the toilet. On occasions, the entire system broke down, and when this happened staff were detailed to open cells individually, although prisoners were told to use their buckets, sometimes for protracted periods.

Following the publication of the report a Prison Service spokesperson said: “In-cell sanitation was installed in most prisons between 1991 and 1996. Current practice is that all new build places will have in cell sanitation installed. Since the original report into HMP Albany was published the prison has updated the night sanitation system so it is more reliable.”

RUNNING IN MEMORY OF FLETCHSWOPPING their helmets and boots for shorts and trainers, three firefighters will be joining the Great South Run in memory of their work mate Paul Fletcher who tragically died of a heart attack during a call out last year.Firestation crew managers Bev Whorwood, 45, and Rich White, 35 together with full time firefighter Luke Hingert, 28, will be running the ten mile course on October 24 in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

All three worked with Paul ‘Fletch’ Fletcher on Blue Watch at Newport Fire Station. Another colleague Dave Hunt will also be making the run in aid of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

“We’re hoping to raise at least £200,” said Bev. “I’ve

spoken to Lisa Fletcher, Paul’s widow, and I’m keeping her updated on the run. We all worked with Fletch on Blue Watch and it was a terrible shock when he died at only 39 years old.

“Fletch ran the Hastings half marathon and the New Forest half marathon in 2008 with us. He’ll be looking down and laughing, because he knows how much I hate running,” laughed Bev.

“We’ve all been training: I’ve been running up and down the Cowes cycle track and Luke’s been training in the West Wight and Rich in Newport.”

Firefighters and colleagues from the fire service will be going to offer support to the runners. If you wish to donate to this very worthy cause go to www.justgiving.com/Beverley-Whorwood


NEWS

FIREMEN BRING HOME BACON!

A PIG HAD it’s bacon saved by Island firefighters at the weekend after it became wedged in a slurry pit.

Fire crews from Newport, Shanklin and Ryde were called to Cooks Castle Farm in St Johns Road, Wroxall.

Working with a local vet and using equipment from the rescue tender the

five-year-old animal was eventually extracted from the drain. The pig was unhurt.

Station Manger Mark Deacon, from IW Fire and Rescue Service’s said: “It was important for us to get the animal out as quickly as possible as she was quite stressed by the experience.

“Working together we drained away water using a pump from one of the fire appliances and removed bricks from the pit wall from around the stranded animal. We were then able to put a five-metre strap around her, crews then used ropes and the Landover to free the trapped animal.”

A DOCTOR who moved to the Island to work at St Mary’s Hospital could be struck off after being pleading guilty to supplying cannabis and ketamine.

Dr Pretesh Shah, 29, admitted he had been ‘naïve, foolish and stupid’ for putting friends in touch with dealers, but claimed: “I have learned from my mistakes.”

Shah was convicted at Newport Crown Court of being involved in the supply of drugs. He was ordered to carry out 150 hours of community service after pleading guilty to all charges. He said he did not take drugs himself, but helped friends get in contact with dealers.

Shah also admitted allowing others to take drugs in his house and using his phone to act as a middle man and answer questions about drugs.

In a letter to the GMC, which the young doctor read out in court, Shah wrote: “I have realised the error of my ways. The convictions against me are very serious and they will affect me for the rest of my life.”

The court heard Shah began attending outdoor parties on the Island, where he met new friends, who asked him if he knew where to get drugs. He said: “‘I thought if I gave them a favour they would let me know where the next party was. I was trying to keep people happy, and not thinking of the consequences.”

Richard Milne, for the GMC, said: “A conviction for trafficking drugs, albeit class C drugs, is clearly a very serious matter.”

Shah is now living with his parents in London, and the panel is now considering whether his ability to practice as a doctor is still impaired by his actions and the conviction.

DOCTOR: I WAS STUPID

CRASH CHAOS AT BLACKWATERISLAND POLICE have arrested the driver of high-powered Ford Focus that crashed into a tree causing traffic chaos.

The driver lost control on the bend on Backwater Hollow in the early hours of the morning.

It is believed that a Ford Focus ST was traveling towards Shanklin when it left the road to the offside on a left-hand bend,

hit a tree and spun 180 degrees before coming to rest on the verge with the tree on top of it.

The driver was arrested at St Mary’s Hospital on suspicion of drink driving.

A second man, a 30 year old from Ventnor who was a passenger in the vehicle, was transferred to the neurology unit at Southampton General

Hospital where his condition remains critical.

The road was closed for over 9 hours whilst police specialists gathered evidence into how and why the car crashed.

Officers from the Roads Policing unit are appealing for witnesses and are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or saw the Ford focus

vehicle prior to the incident to come forward.

The arrested man has been released on bail to report back to Newport Police at the end of November.

Anyone with information can contact PC Bob Hammersley at the Shanklin Roads Policing Unit, quoting Operation Cendal on 101 or 08450 454 545.


NEWS

STREET CLEANING CONTRACT GOES OFF THE ISLAND

IW COUNCIL have handed street cleaning responsibilities to Urbaser Ltd, the British arm of Spanish giants Urbaser SA, and they will start work from October 27.

Street cleaning responsibilities range from everything including road sweeping, emptying of public bins and pavement cleaning. The new contract also includes responsibilities for chewing gum removal and the clearing up of fly-tipping from council owned land.

Stuart Love, IW Council Director of Economy and Environment said “Following a stringent tender process, the council has appointed Urbaser as its new street cleaning contractors.

“Being a tourist island, it is very important we maintain the cleanliness of our towns and villages and we look forward to working with Urbaser to ensure that we maintain and enhance the existing high standard of cleanliness on the Island. We will be working closely with Urbaser to ensure that they meet the challenge.”

Javier Peiro, Director of Urbaser Ltd is excited by the opportunity of working in partnership with the council, saying “For Urbaser this represents our first street cleansing contract here in the UK, and we are very much looking forward to making the contract a success and enhance the cleansing standards for the residents of the Island”.

The firm will take over street cleaning responsibilities from Island Waste which operates the current contract.

RNLI CALL-OUT AS SURFER CAUGHT IN

STRONG WINDSA KITE SURFER who became separated from his board in strong winds sparked a call-out for Cowes RNLI lifeboat.

The man was spotted a quarter of a mile offshore, near to Gurnard Sailing Club. Although the kite surfer was reported to still have hold of his kite, the board was drifting away from him.

Cowes lifeboat, with Matt Chessell at the helm, quickly arrived at the scene and delivered the man and his kite to the Gurnard shore. The lifeboat then made another search of the Solent, being whipped by a Force 5 westerly, and eventually was able to also track down the board, which was returned to its owner.

SALE OF THE CENTURY

POSTFEST PHOTOSTHE PHOTOGRAPHS and information for the article on the recent Postfest day at Fairlee Road’s post box museum were contributed by Jake Elsey. The Gazette would like to apologise to Jake for failing to credit him in our last issue and thank him for his help.

Continued from front page

future and the adjoining Police Station is also likely to close, leaving a prime piece of real estate in the centre of Shanklin that Fire Chief Paul Street has not denied might be sold off.

In a move to perhaps take the spotlight off of the Botanic Garden’s sneaky leasing (as it was part funded by lottery money it cannot be sold), the Council has let slip that the Guildhall might be next on the list. The subject of the ‘business transformation’ of some Council buildings came up in a scrutiny meeting on Wednesday September 29, and suggestions were made as to those that might be shut down and leased or sold off.

At some stage it was suggested that the Council meetings and the Committee Services could possibly move into the Guildhall. But that was completely discounted as the building is apparently ‘not fit for purpose’ - a report has outlined load-bearing problems with the floor. But the Council is likely to favour the route of putting the building up for sale or rent according to sources, especially as it is a Grade II listed building and will therefore require specialist and expensive repairs.

However if the floor and structural problems could be addressed other suggestions have been mooted that the museum below could be moved upstairs and the ground floor could become a lovely central location for civil wedding ceremonies.

The Botanic Garden building in Ventnor has just been granted a licence for the holding of civil wedding ceremonies, but strangely for a council-owned building the fee for the registrars to conduct a wedding is not the same as the £43.50 formerly charged at Northwood House (before it shut last weekend) but the £310 charged for them to attend a private venue. This lower figure will also be the fee for the unsuitable room at the Planning Offices, which holds four guests, that is to be provided in place of the 43 capacity room that was used at Northwood House.

Those who have been following the developments at the Botanic Gardens are wondering when the decision to put the building into private hands was made. The application for a civil ceremony licence was made in ????

The IW Council recently awarded a 10-year catering contract to the Royal Hotel in Ventnor.

“This centres around the provision of catering services on the site, but will also offer the opportunity for joint marketing and the development of an enhanced tourism and

hospitality offer at the Garden,” reads the delegated decision report enigmatically.

“The most recent failure of the lift has had a measurable negative impact on the Royal Garden Café and has undermined the contract’s first year’s trading success,” added the report whilst recommending approval of the £220,000 expenditure needed to repair the ill-fated lift.

But people are asking why the council intends to pay this large amount of money to repair the

lift when they intend to lease the building to a private concern

Lift stuffAlthough Ventnor Botanic

Garden was not in the forward plan written by the Council and therefore the decision to possibly put it into private hands was not circulated to council members, George Brown has said that he will make a decision this Tuesday. At a reception at the Quay Arts last Saturday David Pugh confirmed to the Gazette that putting the Garden and the building into private hands was a possibility.

Public feeling is so strong about the possible sale or leasing of Ventnor Botanic Garden that an online Facebook pressure group was formed last week and it already has nearly 3,000 members.

“In the hands of private investors it will need to make a profit and is likely that it will cease to become a community facility. This will inevitably reduce the service, impact the quality of the botanic collections and reduce staff levels to the detriment of

the skill and knowledge of the workforce who curate, develop and maintain an internationally renowned plant collection,” says the online support group.

“The garden will be removed from the public domain and a valuable community and educational asset may well be no longer available to the neediest in our society.

“The garden costs the IW Council £300,000 per annum (or just £2 per year for every person who lives on the island). In the face of the spending review, this saving to the Authority is tiny, but the impact to the community will be massive. The removal or two or three senior managers (at the IW Council) would make the same level of saving with little or no impact to the community or the garden. In private hands, there will most definitely be an entrance fee. The national average charge to visit a botanic garden is £10 per person.

“The garden is a major tourist attraction that brings hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. All of these visitors add immeasurably to the whole economy of the Isle of Wight. Anything that threatens the

quality of the garden will inevitably have a profound affect on the tourist industry and will in turn, impoverish tourism spend on the Island.

“If you feel strongly about this potential erosion of community facilities and reduction of service to our society, fill in the questionnaire on the Botanic Gardens website

at http://www.botanic.co.uk/contact_us

“The botanic garden is OURS - once it is gone, we will never have it back.”

The Fire Station and Police Station at Shanklin will be without tenants if the closure of the fire station is put into effect, as has also been discussed by the Council in conjunction with the Fire Service.

Plans were in the pipeline to build a new Bay Area fire station at Lake and phase out the stations in Sandown and Shanklin but now Shanklin Fire Station is due to close


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NEWS

DAVID PUGH, leader of the IW Council, snubbed a meeting with Mark Harper MP when the Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform visited the Island to put forward the Government’s case for one MP to serve the constituency.

Instead Pugh later had a private meeting with Mr. Harper, and then put forward his thoughts on the OneWight campaign in a letter, and also sent a detailed message to Prime Minister David Cameron.

Even so it appears the IW Council will have to reluctantly to accept the Government’s decision to split the constituency, despite vehement campaigning from Island MP Andrew Turner, backed up by a petition to 10 Downing Street, signed by thousands of Islanders who are against the plans.

Mr. Harper was bombarded with questions from Islanders when he attended a meeting at the Riverside Centre, but he insisted the Island was not a special case. So it still seems likely that the Government will divide the Parliamentary seat, leading to part of the Island being linked with the mainland. He also claimed that the reforms were essential to create a fairer way in how votes were counted in elections.

Pugh wrote to Mr. Harper: “This brief note, the content of which has been prepared by IW Council officers, offers no view on the matter of whether part of the Isle of Wight should be included within a cross-Solent Parliamentary Constituency.

“It is focused on some of the practical issues that would need to be considered if such constituency arrangements were put into place, and offers the IW Council’s view on these matters.

“The Isle of Wight Council has a clear preference for the Returning Officer (and therefore the Acting Returning Officer) for any split Parliamentary Constituency which straddles any part of the Solent to be based on the Island rather than the mainland.

“The mechanics of the Count would, of course, be affected by the separation by water, and ballot boxes would have to be securely ferried across the

Solent to the designated Count venue. In this event it would be unlikely that the Returning Officer would be able to start the actual counting of the Votes prior to 2am, and a suitable statement would have to be issued to that effect.

“There is also the matter of the issue of postal ballot papers to

consider. Electors return their postal vote application form to their Electoral Registration Officer, whilst the actual postal ballots themselves are issued by the Returning Officer. Were the Returning Officer to be based on the mainland this would result in Island postal ballot papers being issued on the mainland, and would cause problems for electors where a postal ballot pack is lost or spoilt and they have to apply for another one.

“One solution here would be to appoint the Returning Officer for the contained Island Constituency as a Deputy Returning Officer for the “split” constituency.”

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Cllr Pugh said: “The Isle of Wight is a distinct local community, with an electorate of just over 110,000, and a resident population of 138,000. We are unique in England and Wales in being the only significant land mass completely separated (unbridged) by sea.

“With our strong sense

of community identity and engagement, there is undoubtedly a strong desire to see greater on-Island accountability for how public services are provided, and also for us to be allocated unshared parliamentary representation.

“We have observed the enthusiasm of the OneWight campaign that is currently being promoted across the Island. There appears to be a clear majority view amongst residents in favour of us not sharing an MP with the mainland.

“As the local council (with Islandwide governance as a unitary authority), we have not adopted a formal stance on this matter, and would seek to work effectively with whatever arrangements for parliamentary represe-ntation are finally agreed.

“However, we do recognise the majority view that our local community appears to be expressing, and I ask that your Government gives consideration to an exemption being applied to the Isle of Wight. It is recognised that such an exemption would leave the Isle of Wight under-represented in Parliament, with our population not receiving a level of representation

worthy of its size.“However it appears that

this is a situation which the majority of Island residents would be comfortable with. I am therefore arguing, on their behalf, for the Island’s right to be under-represented, with just one Member of Parliament to serve the whole community.”



NEWS FOR US?

MP HAS HOSTILE RECEPTION

Island MP Andrew Turner

BY JASON KAY


NEWS

ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVALHER ROYAL Highness the Princess Royal has been on the Island, visited HMP Isle of Wight at Parkhurst, and opening the new Sixth Form building at IW college.

On her arrival at Parkhurst, Princess Anne was introduced to senior management, staff and community partners working from all areas of the three prison sites, in particular those staff who had received nominations for or awards from the Butler Trust, of which HRH is the patron.

Before the arrival of Princess Anne, Simon Sheppard, Chairman of the Butler Trust, presented a letter of Recognition to David Wilson for his part in the setting up of the Veterans in Prison Association (VIPA). Mr. Wilson was recognised for his support for veterans in prisons across the service, using a system of service providers such as hostels, resettlement and vocational skills training which will help prisoners upon release and enhance their prospects of

re-employment. Mr. Shepherd said: “The

Butler Trust Annual Awards recognise outstanding dedication, skill and creativity on the part of those working in correctional settings across the UK. Awards and Commendations are given for work, over a sustained period, which contributes to the effective care of offenders; promotes the health and well-being of staff; or provides wider benefits to the public at large.

HRH The Princess Royal has been a Patron of the Trust since its inception in 1985 – as well as presenting the Annual Awards she takes a keen on-going interest in the Award Winners’ work.”

Included in the Royal tour was a visit to the Parkhurst mobility workshop. Under the direction of the workshop instructor, prisoners are trained in welding, paint

spraying, mechanics and related refurbishing/rebuilding skills, to help with their employment possibilities upon release.

This workshop is involved in the rebuilding and refurbishment of wheelchairs and bicycles for charities both in the UK and abroad and this is carried out to a very high standard.

Working with the Wheels for the World charity, Parkhurst Mobility totally rebuilds, resprays and refurbishes old and worn out wheelchairs and, through the WFTW charity, distributes them to disabled people all over the world. This workshop also works closely with The Malcolm Ministry charity, rebuilding bicycles that have been abandoned, to ‘new’ condition, for disadvantaged people both in the UK and overseas.

When leaving Princess Anne told Governor Barry Greenberry she was absolutely delighted with the visit and wished all the staff well.

BY JASON KAY


NEWS

HRH GIVES HUMOUR TOUCH

The college governors

“THIS IS the closest I’ve come to an opening for ages,” quipped Princess Anne as she prepared to officially open the brand new sixth form building at the IW College.

Displaying her notoriously sharp sense of humour and quick grasp of the situation, Princess Anne wittily pointed out that opening a building that had literally only had the finishing touches applied the day before must have been her closest call on the official opening front for quite some time.

Miller Construction, using Island contractors for much of the work, completed the new £5m building in five months. Working flat out to have it finished for the new term, around 125 students are now enrolled on the 34 different A Level subjects that will be housed predominantly in this building.

The airy, well-equipped three-storey block has a fresh

lime green theme throughout, with the occasional touch of orange. Top of the range Apple computers are installed in practically every classroom, including the two staff rooms.

Princess Anne was met at the sixth form building by Ruth Acton (Head of sixth form) and toured the ground floor laboratories, speaking to white lab coated students about their studies, and was then ushered into what will be the common room to meet invited guests. These included Chair of the board of governors David Wake and his fellow governors, High Sheriff Peter Kingston, leader of the Council David Pugh and deputy council leader George Brown along with representatives of local industries and organisations.

Amongst these was Simon Dabell, Managing Director of Blackgang Chine and Robin Hill (pictured here), representing the

Pictures by Jessica Dobbs at www.jessicadobbs.comtourism industry, who was very impressed with the Princess’s knowledge of the situation.

“She certainly was switched on,” said Simon. “She said she could quite understand that tourism was a major part of the Island’s industries and that the IW College training in hospitality and catering must be very useful for us.”

All the attendees were pleased that the Princess took the time to chat to each of them when she was introduced, and didn’t

simply shake their hands and move on.

Princess Anne then moved to the plaque where college principal Debbie Lavin made an amusing and eloquent speech about the building process and the hurried preparations before handing over to the Princess to perform the official curtain opening routine.

The room was buzzing with happy conversation by the time the Princess made her way back out to the reception area where

she was presented with a bouquet by Ruth Acton’s four-year-old daughter Cerys.

Prior to opening the sixth form block the Princess had enjoyed a meal in the college restaurant hosted by the Queen and Royal family’s representative on the Island, Lord Lieutenant Major General Martin White. Here she had met Andrew Turner MP for the Island and his partner Carol Dennett, Leader of the Council Ian Stephens and his wife Sandy,

Superintendent Norman Mellor from the police and the Lord Lieutenant’s cadet amongst many others.

She was so impressed by the food she even asked for a takeaway to eat later! In pouring rain, and escorted by Debbie Lavin (principal), she had a brief tour of the campus taking in the art and design block facilities where she met students studying on Media and Graphic Design courses.

The Princess had visited HMP IW before heading over to the college.


NEWS

IT’S A RED CARPET AFFAIRPAPARAZZI photographers will be swarming to the Ryde Castle on Saturday October 23 and you could be one of those captured by their lenses.

‘A Red Carpet Affair’, a celeb glitzy red carpet themed ball, will be held in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust at The Ryde Castle Hotel from 7pm until late.

T i c k e t s are just £30 and include your very own red carpet walk where the paparazz i will be waiting for you and £10 worth of casino chips, giving you a chance to win ‘top three’ casino winner prizes with the three people with the most chips by 9.30pm taking the prizes.

Your ticket will buy you a share of the fancy buffet, a welcome drink with a twist, top class entertainment from the Lewis Berry Band, and an awards ceremony with three categories: ‘Best Dressed Couple’, ‘Most Amazing Ball Gown’ and ‘Best Hollywood Entrance’.

This lavish evening of entertainment is being arranged by Kirsty Miller whose 19 month old son, Jay, was diagnosed with this illness when he was just three weeks old. The disease affects the breathing and digestion

and is at present incurable, requiring constant medication and physiotherapy.

“They picked it up in the blood test on his heel just after he was born,” said Kirsty. “Roughly 12 children on the Island have it. His older brothers Aaron (10) and Dylan (5) don’t have it.

“Why has he got it and we’ve not? There is a one in four chance that any more c h i l d r e n we have will have it

as both Dan my partner and I are carriers. One in 25 people are now carriers.

“I went to a charity ball in Yorkshire and I thought ‘I’m going to do that’”, said Kirsty who began organising the event in April.

“My other half, Dan Smith, has been brilliant – he’s in charge of entertainments,” she added.

“We have a professional photographer - Neil Hunt Photography – who will be on hand to take portraits and we also have a ‘star guest’,” added Kirsty enigmatically. There will also be games and a raffle.

Tickets have been selling fast, but there are still a few available. They are available from the Ryde Castle or from Kirsty on 615186.

“I went to a charity ball in Yorkshire and I thought ‘I’m going to do that’”

THE POLICE in South Wight are encouraging more people to play a bigger part in preventing crime in the communities where they live.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Chris Urry is organising an event for current and potential Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators.

It will be held on Monday, October 11, from 7pm in the Balmoral Room of the Ventnor Winter Gardens.

The evening forum will provide an interactive opportunity to find out more about the crucial links between the public and community safety agencies who share information about crimes and suspicious behaviour affecting residents.

The event features guest speakers from the South

Wight Safer Neighbourhoods team, the independent Crimestoppers charity, and the Isle of Wight Council Trading Standards Service.

Chris Urry said: “Police know from experience that Neighbourhood Watch is a powerful deterrent against burglars and other opportunist criminals who are wary of targeting areas where residents take simple, sensible precautions together to protect themselves.

“Officers appreciate that many dedicated residents, who are not members of Neighbourhood Watch, already speak with the police regularly, and we would like to reinforce this vital community spirit through a co-ordinated approach.

“Neighbourhood Watch is not about being a nosey

neighbour or spying on what’s going on next door, it’s a practical, efficient way for police to communicate with the communities they serve, and share important information about the latest crime prevention techniques. We want people to feel part of the policing that’s keeping where they live safe.”

South Wight Safer Neigh- bourhoods team can be contacted by phoning 101, and emailing [email protected]. From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call the police on 0845 045 45 45.

For more information about the South Wight Safer Neighbourhoods team, go online to www.hampshire.p o l i c e . u k / I n t e r n e t /localpolicing/isleofwight/east/2LESNT6.htm.

STOP CRIME IN COMMUNITY


NEWS

FOLLOWING our report on the over-zealous parking attendant ticketing disabled blue badge holders on the front page of our last issue of The Gazette, the Council has admitted that their signs were at fault.

Peter Hayward, Isle of Wight Council Head of Highways and Transport, said: “Following an inspection of our long stay car park in Quay Road Ryde it appears that the signage is not in line with our other long stay car park signage. Some information which reminds disabled badge holders to park within designated bays if the disabled bays are occupied is not reproduced on these signs. This does not make the restrictions void although may have caused some confusion to those unfamiliar with disabled parking regulations. We are arranging for this information to be added to the signs to remove that risk. However if any disabled badge holder feels that they have been unfairly issued with a Penalty Charge Notice for parking outside of a bay in this car park and appeals against that, then their case will be considered sympathetically.”

We would strongly advise the car owners who were ticketed on Ryde seafront that day to begin the appeal process by writing to the Council as soon as possible.

‘SIGNS WERE AT FAULT’

OVER 40 people braved the rain to attend Islander Maggie Currie’s book launch and signing at Waterstone’s.

Maggie’s book ‘What You Believe Creates Your Reality’, published by Book Guild Publishing, has been receiving rave reviews. Susan Jeffers, author of the famous ‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’ best seller said it was, “A really good book.” Praise indeed.

Guests at the launch included Vectis Radio’s Ian Mac, ‘dinosaur man’ Martin Simpson and Lois Prior who will be launching the Island’s 10:10 appeal in St Thomas’s Square tomorrow (Saturday October 9).

Maggie is pictured here receiving a bouquet from her husband Kelvin, who is perhaps

best known as the popular wedding and party music provider West Wight Disco.

With only ten short chapters, this book could change the way you feel about yourself if you take the advice it offers, according to the blurb.

It’s all about the way in which you have programmed your unconscious mind according to Maggie and she uses herself as an example.

We’ll be reviewing Maggie’s book in our next issue and speaking to her and some of the people she has helped in our ‘Inspiring Women’ feature. There may also be a free copy up for grabs to the most needy reader – write and tell us why you need to read this book to [email protected]

Copies of ‘What You Believe Creates Your Reality’ are available from Waterstone’s priced £9.99 and there may be a few signed copies left if you

get your skates on. If you are one of the people Maggie has helped and wish to be featured in our article please contact Jo on 898236 or 07973 365556.

MAGGIE’S RAVE REVIEWS

KEEP WASTE LOCKED UP

ISLAND residents whose refuse and waste is being attacked by wild animals when left out overnight have been given advice on how to combat the problem.

People living in outlying areas have to put their rubbish on the side of the road overnight, which leaves it open to predators, particularly foxes and squirrels. As a result litter is often scattered across roads and paths.

Peter Hayward, Isle of Wight Council Head of Highways and Transport, said: “If people feel they are experiencing particular problems with animal damage we recommend participating in the food waste collection service.

“A green caddy with a locking lid is provided free of charge for all cooked and raw food waste and collected weekly at the same time as the normal refuse. Without food waste in the black bags animals are unlikely to take an interest in them. Alternatively people may wish to secure their waste in a dustbin, those can be put out at the kerbside for collection and will be returned to where they were collected from.”

POLICE have renewed an appeal for witnesses after a woman was assaulted in Newport.

Officers are continuing to investigate after the victim, aged in her 20s, received injuries to her face in the assault, which is alleged to have been carried out by two other women outside the ‘Hong Kong Express’ restaurant at the junction of Newport High Street and Holyrood Street at approximately 3.30am on Sunday, August 29.

The first suspect was described as white, 5ft 3ins tall, aged in her late 20s, medium build, blonde hair with a headband. She was wearing a white top

The second suspect was described as white, 5ft 5in to 5 ft 6in tall, aged in her early 20s, large build, shoulder length brown hair. She was wearing a pink or red top

These women were also seen with a man. He was described as white, 5ft 6in to 5ft 7in tall, medium to large build, aged in his 30s. He was wearing a white shirt featuring a blue pattern.

Investigating officer PC David Hardie said: “Police have followed several lines of enquiry over the past month, and we’re grateful to members of the public who’ve helped police with the investigation so far. I’m still keen to speak with anyone who was inside or outside Hong Kong Express on the night of Saturday, August 28 or the early hours of Sunday morning, August 29. They may have seen an assault or recognise the people described in this appeal.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone Newport Police Station on 101. From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call the police on 0845 045 45 45.

FRESH APPEAL AFTER ASSAULT



NEWS FOR US?


NEWS

MORE THAN 30 Somerton Middle School pupils were presented with free family ice skating tickets as a reward for attending every day of school during the summer 2010 term.

They have received the tickets under a successful scheme run between Planet Ice and IW Council’s Education Welfare Service.

The scheme aims to reward students who attend school while also helping crack down on truancy figures.

Deputy Head Teacher Mrs Louise Southwell said, “We’ve been working with parents to ensure that they realise the benefits of school attendance every day.

“Missing just one day creates

huge gaps in knowledge and has subsequent effects later in the year.

Lorna Cotton, Manager of Planet Ice Isle of Wight in Ryde, said, “Planet Ice is pleased to be running the 100% attendance scheme for another year with support from Isle of Wight Council. With the figures that show over 1500 students will be getting tickets, I am very happy with

the outcome and hope to improve on this in the forthcoming year”

“Planet Ice realise the importance of working with the community and

offering the right incentives to young people to achieve greater goals. We have rolled out our 100% Attendance Scheme in most of the areas local to our ice rinks and the results have been phenomenal.

“This term will show more positive results from our young people and it’s great to see this scheme take off and have such a positive effect”

Support for the project is also provided by Island based ice hockey team, the Wightlink Raiders, with members of the team going into schools to present certificates and skating passes to students.

SEATING SCULPTED from an oak tree, in memory of a woman who had made a generous legacy to the Friends of St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, has been officially presented to the hospital.

The seating, sited by the north hospital entrance, close to the children’s ward, was formally handed over at a small ceremony by the Friends’ president, Gloria Minghella. It was in memory of Jean Rashley, of Niton,

who died in 1973, aged 75. While most of the money left

to the Friends is being used to purchase much needed equipment and facilities for the NHS on the Island, the Friends thought it was also appropriate there should be a practical memorial in the grounds of the hospital. The seating is made up of two lengths of oak tree on which there are carvings denoting Miss Rashley’s great loves: music and animals. These

themes are also captured between the seats with a giant hare, fashioned from Douglas fir, which is playing a violin.

The whole project is the work of Paul Sivell, also of Niton, whose sculpted wooden figures can be found all over the Island. Gloria Minghella described his hospital seating as ‘a beautiful work of art – so full of life’. She was sure Jean Rashley would have been delighted with the project.

WOOD YOU LIKE A SEAT?


NEWS

POLICE are seeking more witnesses after a fight was reported in Lake.

Officers were called to the junction of Sandown Road and the main road to Newport near the Stag Inn pub at 4.24pm on Wednesday, September 8.

Five men and one woman, aged between 19 and 49, all from the Isle of Wight, were arrested on suspicion of affray. They were taken to Newport Police Station for questioning and all bailed until November 7, pending further enquiries.

PC Ellis Butler of the Isle of Wight Targeted Patrol Teams (TPT) said: “Police appreciate all the information provided by members of the public during the investigation so far. However, the precise circumstances surrounding this affray remain unclear at the moment.

“It’s believed there are more people who saw what happened outside the Stag Inn. This pub is next to a main road that was busy with traffic at 4pm on a Wednesday afternoon.

“I would like to appeal in particular to any motorists who were in the area at that time to contact police. They may remember seeing a disturbance in the street next to the traffic lights at the junction between Sandown Road and the A3056 main road to Newport.

“People who were in the Stag Inn at around 4pm on Wednesday, September 8 are also asked to come forward if they haven’t already.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone Shanklin Police Station on 101. From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call the police on 0845 045 45 45.

POLICE SEEK LAKE FIGHT WITNESSES

A SERIES of walk-in burglaries have taken place on the Island. Now police are increasing their patrols in some areas. Officers are making enquiries into three reports from people’s homes in remote areas on the outskirts of Sandown during September.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Katy Berry of the Rural East Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “Our concern over these reports is prompting extra patrols in the communities affected to provide reassurance and crime prevention advice.”

The Rural East Safer Neighbourhoods team can be contacted at Ryde police station by phoning 101 or 0845 045 45 45. Email: [email protected]

Isle of Wight Crime Prevention Officer Michala Bailey said: “The risk of being burgled here is small as the number of house burglaries on the island has fallen by 40 per cent over the past five years. Police are committed to keeping

crime down by working with the community.

“This series of burglaries has included the theft of personal belongings left near doors and windows where opportunist thieves can grab them. I would

like to remind residents to double check doors and windows are locked properly, and to never leave valuable items or sensitive financial information in places where they can seen easily by people outside your home. We are calling on residents to support our efforts by maintaining good habits to deny opportunist thieves access to your home.”

Police are reminding homeowners of other simple and innovative

security steps to help make homes safer. SmartWater: a non-hazardous liquid, which can be used to mark property, or as a spray to shower intruders when they enter premises protected by the system. Each batch

has a unique ‘DNA-type’ forensic code, tying its use to a specific location or item of property. Once a suspect has been sprayed, the SmartWater will fluoresce brightly as offenders walk under ultraviolet lights when they’re brought into custody at police stations. For more information, go to www.saferwight.org.

uk/smartwaterPolice also advise:

• Keep valuable items out of view – if you have electrical equipment worth hundreds of pounds, don’t keep it by the window where passers-by can see it.• Never leave a key under a doormat, or on a string through the letterbox – it’s the first place any burglar will look.• Make sure tools and ladders are kept in a secure place – burglars will happily use your own

garden equipment to break into your home.• If you’ve taken extra security precautions, let would-be burglars know. If you have an alarm, make sure the box can be clearly seen. If you take part in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, display a sticker in your window, and if you have a dog, put up a warning sign.• Hide financial documents and keys – if someone does break in, you don’t want them to also steal from your bank account, or take your car.• Make sure you secure all your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even if you are ‘just popping out’.• If you are in the garden or upstairs, make sure your downstairs doors are locked at all times – burglars can often just open the front door and help themselves.

Log onto www.hampshire.police.uk, and click on the ‘Safer Homes’ section for more information, or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods teams by phoning 101.

BURGLARIES: STAY ON ALERT

SO WHAT has Russell Brand been up to for Go Yellow Day? He sent a loyal Gazette-reading friend of his on the Island this revealing shot to promote his new Booky Wook 2 and we thought you might like a quick peek – that banana’s definitely yellow that’s for sure.

She’s also very kindly sent us this photo of Russell at his recent stag do in London.

Although we’ve only seen him in the press on the Island once, when he was visiting Ventnor, Russ is apparently a regular visitor – so this is Russell’s

corner. We’ll be keeping you updated on Russ’s whereabouts as and when we receive them.

You won’t have seen this stag night photo in any of the tabloids – Russell has agreed that we can use it, but it’s for your eyes only. It shows him dancing on the table, but he’s stone cold sober – no mean feat (Russell doesn’t drink alcohol anymore). I’d like to see you try this on a Saturday night without ten pints of strong lager or a crate of alcopops in your gullet.

Russell spoke to us about his up and coming nuptials with girlfriend Katy Perry.

”My dream is to have 11 boys and name them after the West Ham team,” he joked.

His generous friend, who would like to remain anonymous, said: “Russell’s manager Nik Linnen had organised a bash for Russell’s stag night on Saturday September 25, 2010. Noel Gallagher, David Walliams Jonathan Ross and other celebrities were also invited.

“They started at The Grove

Hotel in Hertfordshire, then Russell and his mates were taken by bus to watch West Ham United play against Tottenham Hotspur. After the match they then went to a private dining at the York and Albany restaurant.

“The Bash finally finished at a table dancing club Angels, where the proprietor Peter Stringfellow handed the freedom of the club over to Russell and his mates. They had a fantastic day especially as his favourite team West Ham won the match!

“Peter Stringfellow said it was the most sober stag party in the history of nightclubs. Russell and his mates got back to the hotel just before 2am as they had to get up early for a raft building competition followed by a quiet meal.

“Russell and Katy will be getting married in India sometime in October.”Look out in the Gazette for pics from Russell and Katy’s wedding if we’re lucky enough to be sent some… and keep your eyes peeled. He could drop in at any time!

CHEEKY RUSSELL REVEALS ALL

PCSO Katy Berry


FEATURE

THE ROOM fell silent and it was standing room only. A flash of blue lights and the sound of sirens.

“I am PC Martin Norman and work out of the Road Policing unit at Shanklin,” said the man in uniform at the front.

“I have been a police officer for 18 years now and in my service I have attended a great deal of tragic accidents that bring devastation to families. On average eight people are killed on roads everyday.

“I am a senior investigating officer who will attend the scene of a road accident and take charge and overall command of the scene.

“I am also a family’s liaisons officer. This is the officer who will attend the scene and pass on what we call a trauma message to the next of kin,” he explained.

“Our job starts as soon at the call comes into the control room. Names and details of witnesses are taken whilst a police unit is sent to the scene.

“En route these officers will be thinking professionally about how they are going to deal with the incident and what they are going to see. They will also be thinking about the personal side of the crash, thinking fatalities, serious injuries, person trapped, distressed people, crowds, traffic control and the

investigation as well. “The officer attending

the scene will report back to the control room giving them a picture of what is going on. The deceased will be searched; scenes of crime officers will attended and photograph the scene.

“We are all human and you do take something away from each crash scene you attend.

“These are memories that I would rather not have,” said PC Norman emphatically.

“One memory that I have and I would like to share with you is this…

“Cast your mind back to the summer, a Saturday afternoon, July 24 2004. A call came through from the control room while I was on duty with a colleague in Ryde.”

“Charlie-one to Mike Echo Three zero please attend Yaverland Beach. Car on the beach, persons trapped.”

“The blue lights went on with the sirens. I was thinking about what I was going to see - carnage.

“En route I was thinking what I would see. We arrived at the scene. We got out of the car. We looked on the beach, and on the sand there was a car surrounded by people.

“Laying on the sand at the back of the car there was a body of a terribly injured man and laying near that man there was the body of

a small child, a male child, a male child called Max.

“I went on to the beach and I was joined by an off duty paramedic and a doctor.

“We carried Max along the beach on a stretcher, to a waiting ambulance. We put Max in the back of the ambulance and his mother was standing outside. I tried to comfort the distressed lady.

“She was Max’s mother. She was begging me to tell her that he would be alright. I couldn’t answer her that.

“Eventually Max was taken to the hospital. The driver was rescued but got done for dangerous driving.

“Later I had to attend the hospital and I had to identify Max’s body, so a post mortem could take place.

“I had to go home after that and I was met by my youngest son who came running up to me arms open looking for a cuddle.

“He said one word to me. He said “Daddy”. I broke down in tears, my wife had to take him away; she had to tell him it wasn’t his fault.

“She said “DADDY HAS JUST A VERY BAD DAY AT WORK”.

“Please don’t let me be having you as one of my memories,” said PC Norman to the assembled group of students.

DON’T BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY

“Daddy has just a very bad day at work”AS I PREVIOUSLY mentioned I am a Family Liason Officer. Should I ever have the misfortune of meeting one of you with a loved one in that role I will be your worse nightmare come true.

“I’ve probably come from the scene, and I’ve either seen yourself or your loved ones. I will search them and get an address - that is why I am at your house.

“I always sit in the police car building up my courage and I say to myself over and over again, “you are just about to ruin the rest of somebody’s life.”

“I get out of the car and I make sure I have my yellow jacket on and my white hat and I put on my best sad face and I hope that the door I knock on

has a window in it, so the person can see there is a police officer standing there.

“When that person opens the door and they see my sad face generally they know what’s coming. I have to go in and tell them. There is no easy right or wrong way to tell somebody that someone they love is dead.

“But make no mistake, you have to tell them and you have to make sure they understand that that person is dead.

“I’ve had a number of different reactions. When I tell people they have taken a swing at me. People have held on to me and won’t let go, and the most horrible one I’ve ever had was just having to sit after just

telling a young lady that her husband had died. We sat in total silence for well over half an hour, staring at a wall, holding hands.

“I then have to arrange for the next of kin to go to the hospital with me to the mortuary, and we have to do what we call a formal identification process - another part of my job.

“I can then be in contact with the family for anything up to two years, supporting them and keeping them updated after what’s happened with any investigations.

“One memory I have, again another young lady who I had to tell her husband was dead. She had three young children and she was absolutely destroyed, and she couldn’t

bring herself to tell her children so she asked me too.

“Being a father myself this was a very, very difficult thing to do. We then had to go and do the formal identification and the lady wanted to take her children, so that her children could say goodbye to their daddy.

“We went into the mortuary and they were small children so they couldn’t see their daddy. So I had to lift them up, whilst they were kissing their father goodbye and saying goodbye to him- a place where I didn’t want to be.

“Please don’t allow yourself, as I said earlier, to become one of my memories


FEATURE

“MY NAME is Martin Poynter and I work on one of the busiest fire stations in the South East of England responding to road traffic accidents. But I don’t work in Kent, East or West Sussex, Berkshire or Oxfordshire, I work in a fire station that happens to be less than one mile from here.

“Why is it that, when we live on such a small island, you’re more likely to get killed or injured on the Island then you are anywhere else?

“The Island’s fire and rescue service gets called out to between seven and 10 road accidents every week, and we attend one house fire for every seven road traffic accidents.

“A few years ago now I went on a school trip and I met a class of nine year olds. We went to Wales and had an excellent time canoeing, climbing, walking and generally having a laugh with the young people.

“On the Friday evening we were returning in order to go back to school and one young lad came up to me and said, “Martin thanks very

much. I had a good week and I really enjoyed myself.” He wanted to shake my hand, so I shook his hand, and he said, “I hope I see you again in school.”

“The following Tuesday evening I saw him again and I took hold of his hand. I shook his hand, with my other arm and I put my arms underneath his crushed legs. I lifted up his broken body, and placed him inside a body bag.

“I said my goodbyes, and zipped up the body bag. And I took him to the mortuary.

“You wouldn’t know what its like to stand in a classroom and tell the class the following morning why the seat at the front of the class isn’t filled. The headmaster had to tell the whole school that he won’t be attending.

“What was it like standing at the back of a church after the headmaster had asked me to do a reading, you will never know. Please don’t let me be the last person to take you by the hand.”

DON’T BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY

“Please don’t let me be the last person to take you by the hand.”

I’M DAVE KNIGHT. I work at St Mary’s and the particular incident I would like to talk to you about is about young person called Tom.

“For the accident Tom had I was actually off duty and I got a call saying they had had a serious accident, so I got called back into work.

“I got to work at about half past seven and it was the last time I saw him - he went straight into resuscitation.

“Now first thing that you’ve got to realize is when you come into A & E you don’t see what you see on television. We will cut your clothing off and then we will support your head and neck with blocks.

“Just by looking at Tom you could see he’d got serious injuries. He’d got two broken legs and both his feet were scarred. His abdomen was swelling up and his face was swollen and grazed.

“The first thing I did with Tom was to try and get him out of shock and cover him up to try and keep him warm.

“We needed to sort out what was going on before we could take Tom to theatre. We needed to stabilise him and make sure his blood pressure was low, so we had to give him fluids and we

had to see where he was bleeding from we needed to stop the bleeding.

“After 20 mins to half an hour we managed to stabilise Tom and at this stage we had two choices: he could go to theatre or he could get a CT scan, which means an x-ray in his brain to find out what is going on in his head.

“Because of the severity of his injuries he was the first priority, because if we hadn’t stopped the bleeding he would have died. At that stage he went to theatre... my job in theatre is too make sure that we keep Tom hydrated so that he doesn’t bleed to death.

“Over the next two hours I give Tom some 12 units of blood. He died on the theatre table at quarter past two.

“I was told that a set of parents, who we believed could be Tom’s parents, were in the car park. The mum has a fear of hospitals and she wont come in and she’s just walking around the car park pacing up and down wondering what’s happening and whether it is her son in theatre.

“We go into the car park, myself and a police officer, and we introduce ourselves. We asked if they want to come in. Again Mum declines so we have to break the news to who we think is his Mum and Dad in the middle of the car

park at half past two in the morning.

“Actually Mum falls to the ground and starts crying. Dad just walks around the car park not really taking it in. Around 15 to 20 minutes later we talked Mum and Dad into coming in and coming down into the department to sit down and have a cup of tea.

“The police officer who was on duty that night went to theatre with Dad to identify him as his son and we go back down and we break the bad news to Mum that the motor cyclist in Re-suss is her son Tom.

“Tom needs to be taken to the mortuary. We need to keep any tubes and stuff we put in Tom as this is now the corononer’s case and they have got to see that everything we did was in Tom’s interest.

“Tom’s body was tidied up and he was put in a body bag. We call for an assistant to take him to the mortuary and at that stage we realize that the person

who’s been called to take Tom to the mortuary is Tom’s uncle. He didn’t even realize his nephew was involved in a road traffic accident.

“By the time I got the paperwork sorted out the relatives had had time to sit with Tom although he is in mortuary. They sat in the chapel until getting on for 5am in the morning. I am back on duty at 9am. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

“Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day”


FEATURE“HELLO MY name is Toby and I am Guy’s father. I had a police officer ring my doorbell at about 12.30 in the morning.

All I can remember, because I fell alseep then woke and fell back to sleep again, was hearing this noise in my head. I thought I was dreaming - I really wish I had been.

“And after a while I went downstairs and I opened the front door and there was a police officer in full uniform. That’s the one thing you never imagine.

“The whole household was woken up and Martin Norman came in and you always know if the police officer is about at that time of the night that something serious has happened. And he came in and he sat down.

“I have two children who were awake, and Martin told me what had happened. I never took any of it in, because its something you’d never imagine happening.

“And then Martin went though the conversation again. I just sat there, just listening to him and it took a long time to take the information in. You just think when it hits you that it’s not your child, it’s someone else’s, there must be a mistake, he must have had someone else’s ID, or anything like this could come into your mind until you know definitely that it is your son or daughter.

“Later on within an hour or so, after sitting and just thinking it though, I had ups and downs going to see Guy’s mum. After telling his mum I came back home and stupidly I knew it was my day off so I thought I’d better phone the office and tell them I wouldn’t be in the next day or the next or the next day after that.

“It’s difficult telling people these things. I remember telling someone at work and just breaking down.

“Then Martin Norman

came to see me, the police officer, because Guy’s body needed to be identified and that was something I didn’t want to do, but I knew I had to.

“So he took me to St Mary’s, to the morgue. I didn’t know what to expect to be honest with you. I had all these images going though my head. I went in and he was just laying there - his hair was still spiked up.

“I told his mum to imagine he was asleep, but never going to wake up. A few days after that I spoke to them to see if I could go up as much as I wanted to talk to him about stuff - just generally talking.

“It happened over Christmas and everyone was starting to make arrangements - everyone else was happy. Everyone was getting together. A date was set for his burial and I was sitting in that church in St Helens near the coffin and he was sitting a few

feet away from me - he might have been 16 but he will always be my little boy, always will be.

“Everything was by him, his phone, his trainers, he had the things he loved. Everything was gone.

“I’m guessing some of you might have heard of Guy, I know some of Sandown High are here and some of the college students are here. And Guy was about your age. So I hope listening to what his Dad has to say really hits home and hits you with the message we’re trying to give you.

“We’re not saying to be angels. We know you’re going to go out and we know you’re going to enjoy yourselves but we want you to come home safely. It’s not cool driving too fast for the conditions or beyond your capability. You guys have got a whole lot of living ahead of you…Please, please, please take care and drive safely.”

“HELLO my name is Wendy Newman and I’m a mum. I was Martin’s mum. On Febuary, 27, 2006 I left my house and three boys and I went home to be a mum with just two.

“Martin was 18 he had been driving for five weeks. He’d had experience and his mentality and his speed killed him.

“There were four others in the car and thankfully they all survived. They were all saved by their seatbelts. Martin was still alive when he got to hospital and I was lucky because I got to tell him that I loved him.

“I got to touch his skin and I got to stroke his hair. I was lucky he didn’t kill anybody else. And I was lucky that he wasn’t smashed up. His face was a bit swollen, but it looked like he was just asleep, like one night when I stuck my head around his bedroom door.

“I was lucky because I was with him when his heart eventually stopped beating. Not many parents get that privilege.

“I can’t really remember how I felt that day but I remember it was the worse feeling of my life, the worse thing you can imagine. (You feel) this isn’t real, this isn’t happening to me, this only happens to other people, this is just what you read in the papers.

“Next there was a post mortem. I didn’t really think much about the post mortem - it’s a report. But then I thought

about Martin naked, alone, cold, on a stainless table. They took pictures of his body, trying to find the cause of death. And the report said “eyes: normal, skin: normal, stomach: empty, testings: normal, everything normal apart from two broken legs, fractures in every part of his skull and a broken neck.”

“The impact of the crash was massive. There’s a funeral to plan, but how can you have a funeral for an 18 year old when you’ve never discussed their wishes? But I hope I did him proud and we were amazed that so many different people turned up.

“But just how sad is it that he didn’t live his life enough and after nine months or so when you’re thinking of getting your life back together there’s an inquest to re-live the whole nightmare.

“One of the hardest things was that I didn’t realize the stress that it had caused the witnesses. They didn’t want to say things about my son that I didn’t want to hear, and not one of those witnesses looked at me.

“All I wanted them to do was to look at me, so I could say I am so sorry. I am so so sorry

that you got to be here to do this. But that was back then, and this is now.

“I have two boxes of keepsakes - not much for 18 years of life. There is school visit, gifts in a box and his baby wristband - all 907 grams of him. Two horrible bands that I hated but I kept them in a petrol smelly wallet, his old chain, hundreds

of cards that are from the grave that were left each C h r i s t m a s , each birthday and each anniversary.

“I’m glad that he got to live a happy life. I get jealous when I see young men in the sun with their shirts off because

my son should have the sun shining on his skin. It’s a shame not to see him turn 21, not see him married, not see him have children and I’m angry.

“I’m angry he’s not here, because he should be sharing hopes and dreams and going to have late night chats with his brothers. And he should have seen his brother’s face when he passed his driving test. He should have seen how his cousins have grown.

“But most of all I’m still heartbroken. I try going back but I still hurt and I still struggle to shop for food when

the shelves remind me there is no one there to eat it anymore. And every family occasion is a reminder that he’s gone.

“He has not gone on a holiday, he’s not stayed at a mate’s house, he’s gone.

“It has taught me how precious you all are, and how would you feel if you went home today and one of your family were missing and gone forever. I never imagined that road safety could be a passion or that I’d be part of it. And I wish I could say to you that I wish I never met any of these people here. But that wouldn’t be true, because they’re an extended family to me.

“And I’ve shared lots of thoughts and feelings with them. I’ve laughed and I’ve cried with them. And I want to ask you, please drive properly and make the right choices. You’ve got to face the consequences. Please don’t put your family though what we have been though.

“And there’s one last thing. Go and tell your family what your last wishes are and hope you don’t have to come a part of the road safety family. Thank you for listening.”choices. You’ve got to face the consequences. Please don’t put your family though what we have been though.

“And there’s one last thing. Go and tell your family what your last wishes are and hope you don’t have to come a part of the road safety family.”

“Go and tell your family what your last wishes are ”

“We’re not saying to be angels. We know you’re going to go out and we know you’re going to enjoy yourselves but we want you to come home safely”


FEATURE

CALL IT MELLOW YELLOW

BUSINESSES, schools, services and individuals all took on a decidedly yellow hue last Friday (October 1) for the Hospice’s annual ‘Go Yellow’ day.

The rain did not deter play

as people descended upon St Thomas’s Square in crazy yellow themed fancy dress outfits to accost passers by in their efforts to raise money for the Hospice.

Over 60 businesses

contacted the hospice to join in the Go Yellow fundraising marathon, but many more joined in on the day.

At Fairlee Service Station the Fire Service were washing cars, and although

the rain was pouring down they still had queues of customers. The police force brought many of their vehicles to be washed and the total raised here was £412.94.

Drivers were also throwing money into buckets from their car windows as they passed by and hooting their horns in solidarity.

In Newport two scantily clad yellow fairies were asking

for money at Morrisons, collecting £448.78, there were bunches of bananas from WP Recruitment in St Thomas’s Square and RJR Solicitors raised a total of £786.50.


FEATURE

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlour in Cowes were giving away Free Yellow Ice Cream in return for a donations to the hospice and some ladies from St Mary’s Church, Cowes also held a book stall.

“Due to the weather we only managed to raise £34 but that does take the total that The Plaza Ices has raised for the hospice this year £872,”

said Gary Hall of Plaza Ices.The target for the Plaza

Fundraising Challenge was £1000 for the hospice and they hope to reach this target when Gary completes The Great South Run on Sunday October 24.

Anyone can sponsor Gary by going into either Beresford’s Barber Shop Cowes or The Plaza Ice Cream Parlour,

Cowes and signing the sponsor form or sponsoring online on at www.justgiving.com/gary-hall or clicking the link on www.theplazaices.co.uk

On Saturday September 25, the Plaza ice cream van gave away free pink ice creams for The Breast Cancer Appeal in St James Square, Newport and raised £299.


FEATURE

THE PLAZAICES

CLASSIC ICE CREAMVANS FOR HIRE.

WHY NOT BOOK ONEFOR YOUR EVENT?

Visit The Plaza Ice-Cream Parlour,56 High St, Cowes, PO31 7RR

Tel: 01983 249600www.theplazaices.co.uk


FEATURE

VENTNOR GETS GOOD VBAY-RATIONS!

AT A TIME when most seaside towns are shutting up shop sunny Ventnor will be throwing the town open for the second V Bay festival.

Stretching over four days this year from October 21 to 24, the festival will run along the seafront and up into the town. Don’t miss the rare treat to see internationally acclaimed local band the Bees on the Thursday night at the Winter Gardens before they embark on a tour with Paul Weller.

Also at this venue will be a fun packed party night on the Friday (October 22) for only £5. Host DJ Tim Boogaloo will bring his eclectic mix of Mowtown and Northern Soul and local comedienne Hannah George will be raising many laughs in the main hall while the Hillmans play in the bar.

But it is the Big Speakeasy evening on Saturday (October 23) that will have everyone out in 20s, 30s and 40s fancy dress to try their luck at the traditional roulette tables. Entrance is only £12 and includes ‘£50 worth’ of chips with the person with the most chips by the end of the evening winning a prize.

Aaron Isted will be working his mysterious table magic on the fluttering guests and the evening will play out to the music of a traditional jazz band.

Over the weekend music will play a large part in the proceedings with venues for live artists all over the town. The Met Bar will have more jazz on offer and the Spyglass will feature local bands. You may have seen the films made by the Spyglass and Met Bar featuring V Bay last year – you might be in the one they make this year!

Live music will also be on the menu at the Ale and Oyster, Rios, the Ventnor Bay Café, the Beach Hut Diner, the Rose, the Blenheim, the Crab and Lobster and the St Boniface Arms and more venues may join in.

The Youth Club will

be staging a concert late afternoon on Saturday, a steel band will be playing on the seafront near the Spyglass and there will also be people busking around the town and seafront.

Make sure that you visit the local businesses while you’re in Ventnor for V-Bay – you’ll be surprised by the variety and quality the town has on offer. The Ventnorian is a super shop full of eco ‘green’ items for the home, traditional gifts and toys made from natural and recycled materials and lovely local crafts.

Tilly’s café is a legend in the town, particularly its breakfasts, the specials board and the doorstep sized slabs

of delicious sponge cakes. Owner Jackie Tiller is one of the V Bay organisers and will doubtless have something festive up her sleeve.

Marianne in Inspirations is a wizard with her sewing machine, making curtains, cushions and other soft furnishings and she also has a very reasonable and tasteful range of bed linen and other made to measure items such as quilts and throws.

On Friday nights throughout the winter, Malcolm will be giving Salsa lessons in the winter Gardens, and ideal way to beat off those winter blues, get fit and meet new friends.

And if you’re feeling a bit fragile after all that dancing


FEATURE

VENTNOR GETS GOOD VBAY-RATIONS!

you might like to call upon the services of Mary King the local McTimony Chiropractor for her healing hands.

A ‘Treasure Trail’ features on the flyer for the festival – answer all ten questions correctly and you could win a three day break for five in Ventnor, a return short break ticket with Wightlink, a voucher for dinner at the Ale and Oyster or an English breakfast at Tilly’s bistro.

‘Open the Safe’ will be a game you’ll want to play – guess the four number combination to open the safe and you win the £50 within.

Gallybagger pirates will be swarming all over the town, making nuisances of themselves, picking sword fights and blowing things up with real gunpowder on the seafront. “Press Gangs will be around and arrests will be made!” says the V Bay announcement.

The pirates may even join forces with the Ventnor Comic Jazz Band for a parade to remember and at 7pm on Saturday the seafront there will host a large skirmish by Wight Pirates when fireworks will fly.

For more frightening experiences, Mark Tuckey will

be running Ghost Walks in the evenings.

On the beach will be a treasure hunt, a tug of war and the boxing club will be putting on a display. The Angling Club at Wheelers Bay will be offering free tuition and there’s a fishing competition on Ventnor Beach.

Magician Randini will be hosting a picnic at the Seabreeze playground on Saturday afternoon – bring your own picnic – and there will be a fun area for kids around the paddling pool. On Sunday Randini will be staging a Punch and Judy show on the beach.

Saturday afternoon will herald the arrival of the Coastguard Air Sea Rescue Helicopter and Sandown and Shanklin Inshore Lifeboat (SSIL) for a death defying display of their life saving skills.

On Sunday there will be an Antique and Collectors Fayre in the Winter Gardens form 10am till 3pm including valuations by Rex Gully of Hose Rhodes and Dixon Auction Rooms between 10am and midday for a £1 fee per item.

For more details see www.ventnorbay.co.uk as more activities are being added daily. See you there!


FEATUREVECTIS RADIO

Vectis Radio on the move again!We have been dubbed the gypsy

station because yet again Vectis Radio has moved premises. This time to the new studios in Crocker Street, Newport with more space, a kettle and more importantly our own loo!. We knew it wasn’t going to be forever at Newport Football Club or indeed the Quay Arts Centre for that matter, but we didnt think we would have broadcasted from 3 different locations in less than a year.

It just goes to show though, it’s not where you broadcast from it’s what you broadcast. Incredibly we moved the whole station in just 3 hours and what a mad rush that was! Big thanks to Beta Pack, Carpets Ect and some dodgy looking geezer with a van who is quite friendly with our Headfunk boys, maybe they share the same carer!

Our new set up allows us the space to work with CDG Career Development Group to train people that are currently unemployed, it gives them an insight of how a radio station works and maybe even a chance to train for a new career.

Maccas MoanWould someone explain to me why

and how Islanders are being forced to have another MP we didn’t ask for!

Then in return make so many cutbacks that we lose the things the things we really need, like fire stations, police stations and respite centres. It all seems crackers to me, now don’t get me wrong I’m not bothered whether we get 2 or even 3 MPs but I am when it comes to the reduction in the very important services that we do need.

Give me a call on the Isle of Wight Phone in, the number is 01983 527444.

Born in St Mary’s hospital, Newport in September 1970. Brought up on Pan by parents Roy and Freda, both of who are listening from on high.

I attended Barton Primary School, Downside Middle and Medina High School, gained a city and guilds in Agriculture at the Isle of Wight College in 1988, training at Holliers farm Branstone.

This is where I gained my love for farming and tractors especially the old ones. Also inspired by my late brother Steve, who taught me at a very early age to drive a Massey Ferguson 35.

As a child, growing up on Pan was great. It’s what you make it I always say. Apple scrumping at John Pecks chicken farm, pug fighting (ball of clay on a stick) in the ploughed fields at Pan. Camp making in the copse before prices garage was built and many a happy day spent up the chalk pit.

I have been a youth worker on Pan and was part of Pan carnival for many a year and am now doing again.

Been involved in Island carnivals for 25 years. I have been DJing for 17 years, 13 of these at Bramble chine holiday camp in Totland and all of the 17 at Waverly park in East Cowes, where I still do the Friday nights in the season. I was also a farm labourer.

My best moments are being asked to do a show on Vectis Radio and having my photo taken with the wurzels at the garlic festival.

I present the Drive Time show on Vectis Radio, Monday to Thursday between 5 - 7pm and Saturdays between 10am - 1pm give it a listen!

Paddy McHugh: In his own words...

This internet radio is great but you can’t get it in the car or take it with you like you can traditional radio, right? Wrong!

True, I don’t know of any Internet car radio it’s perfectly possible to get internet radio when on the move in your car, or even on the train/bus. There’s a couple of ways to do this.

First, the Mobile phone solution. Some mobile phones not only have internet, but are capable of taking the streaming audio that radio stations use. So if you have the right contract with your

service provider, and the right phone, you can tune into your favourite internet station as long as you have internet coverage. The cost of this will vary according to your contract, so check with your provider first.

If you want to hear it without using headphones you can connect it to your existing car radio using a patch cord or by using a mini transmitter so that you can tune your radio into the sounds from your phone. Transmitters are available from places like Halfords.

If you have a Bluetooth mobile phone and a

Bluetooth capable car radio, it might even be possible to connect the sound that way!

Next, the laptop or netbook solution. This is my favourite at the moment. I have a netbook and a mobile broadband “dongle” which gives me full mobile broadband at a sufficient speed to get Vectis Radio when on the train.

Finally another idea. The “dongle” I have is from the 3 network and it provides its own mini WiFi area when it is switched on. In theory, it should be possible to use this with any WiFi capable

internet radio to get Vectis Radio. That means that I could fit an internet radio adapter, like the Philips Streamium, to my car and with the dongle, get my favourite broadcasts wherever I go. I’ll be trying this soon!

This is still a work in progress, and whilst mobile broadband coverage is a bit variable, so you will get gaps.

But, it does mean that if you have mobile broadband, wherever in the world you are, you can still listen to Vectis Radio on the move.

Internet Radio on the Move


FEATURE

LONG SERVICE AWARDSTHE ISLAND Fire & Rescue Service honoured staff that had completed 20 years of exemplary service.

Nineteen Long Service and Good Conduct medals were presented to fire service personnel for their long and meritorious service during a ceremony by the Lord Lieutenant Martin White at Cowes Yacht Haven this week.

The guests included the former High Sheriff of Island Gay Edwards and Partner David, Chairman of the IW Council Ian Stephenson, Chief Executive Steve Beynon, leading Councillors and VIPs, as well as the families

of fire-fighters and retired firefighter John Gregory.

Paul Street, the Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer (CFO) said: “The Island’s Fire Service exists to serve the public and make the Isle of Wight safer.

“We will stop at nothing short of excellence in order to provide a world class service and we are only able to do this because of the hard work, professionalism and dedication of the people who work for the organisation.

“The recipients of the Long Service and Good Conduct medal deserve recognition and I would

like to personally express my gratitude to each and every one.”

A Royal Warrant sets out the conditions under which the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal may be awarded to uniformed personnel. It states: “This Honour is only gained after rendering twenty years long and meritorious service to the Fire Brigade and the Public.

“The awarding of this medal indicates the high esteem in which the recipient is held by the authorities and the public and expresses their gratitude for honourable service and devotion to duty.”

The citation states: “IW Fire Service values the significant contribution made by the recipient in the delivery and operation of a professional service to the community.

Lord Lieutenant Major Martin White presented the medals and awards.

“I was delighted to welcome Lord Lieutenant Major Martin Wight to the ceremony. The fact that the Major chose to preside over an event at Isle of Wight Fire Service is a great honour, which also reflects the Services’ professionalism and dedication to providing excellent public service”, added CFO Street.


FEATURE

STATION MANAGER Andrew Walton joined IW Fire and Rescue Service in January, 1994 after

transferring from West Midlands Fire Service. He was promoted to Leading Firefighter in 1996,

and promoted to Sub Officer after seven years further service.

He took up his current operational role as Station Manager in July 2004. His current

role is Operational Intelligence & Risk Manager based at Service Headquarters.

CREW MANAGER Beverley Whorwood, joined IW Fire and

Rescue Service Retained Duty System in May 1989 transferring to Wholetime Newport on December 28,

1995. She was promoted to Crew Manager nine years later and her current role is Crew

Manager of Blue Watch, Newport.

CREW MANAGER Ian Halliday joined IW Fire and Rescue Service in October 1988 and was promoted to Leading Firefighter on February 3, 1997. His current role is Crew Manager at Ventnor.

CREW MANAGER John Merchant, joined IW Fire and Rescue Service in October 1989. as a retained firefighter under the Retained Duty System. After 12 years service he was promoted to Crew Manager in January 2001. His current role is Crew Manager at Cowes Fire Station.

WATCH MANAGER Simon Fyrth began his career in the IW Fire and Rescue Service in October 1988 as a retained fire fighter.

His first promotion was to Leading Firefighter on July 2001.

In February 2006 Simon was promoted to Watch Manager and currently serves at Bembridge on the Retained Duty System.

He is currently employed as a groundworker.

SIMON FYRTH

Wendy and Simon Fyrth

MARK DEACON

STATION MANAGER Mark Deacon worked for the Hampshire and IW Police

workshops for 12 years as a vehicle mechanic. He joined the IW Fire and Rescue Service in March 1990, as a full time fire-fighter based at Newport, and in August 2004, after 14 years

service, Mark was promoted to Leading Fire-fighter.

Mark went on to serve as Watch Manager at Newport for one year and now holds

the role of Station Manager and Technical Support Manager.

Mark Deacon with Major General Martin White

ANDREW WALTON

Sandra, Andrew, Angus and Ellen Walton Danielle and John Merchant

JOHN MERCHANT

JACKIE CAMERON-MOUATAND BEVERLEY WHORWOOD

CREW MANAGER Jackie Cameron-Mouat, joined the

IW Fire and Rescue Service in May 1989. She

was promoted in October 1996. Her current role

is Retained Crew Manager. Based at Newport Fire Station where she

also works as a Stores Officer.

IAN HALLIDAY


FEATURE

ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF Steve Apter joined IW Fire and Rescue Service in May 1990 as a retained firefighter. He transferred to Wholetime based at Newport in June 1991 and was promoted to Leading Firefighter five years later. Steve rose through the ranks to Station Officer by 2004. His current role is Assistant Chief Officer Operations and Fire Resilience based at Service Headquarters in Newport.

FIRE FIGHTER Sean Harrison served as a retained firefighter with Avon Fire and Rescue

Service from December 1989 transferring to IW Fire and Rescue Service in June 2004. Sean was

promoted to Crew Manager in November 2007, and Watch Manager in March 2009. In February 2010 he

became full-time at Newport. His current role is Firefighter Blue Watch, Newport.

ASSISTANT CHIEF OFFICER Stuart May, joined the Fire Service 21 years ago in London

before transferring to the IW Fire and Rescue Service in 1994. After a short time as a Sub Officer Stuart was promoted to Station Commander in

2002 and promoted to Assistant Divisional Officer two years later. His current role is Assistant Chief Officer Prevention and Protection.

STUART MAY

Ann and Stuart May

WATCH MANAGER Janice King, Fire Control, transferred

from Kent Fire and Rescue Service in June 2007 to the IW

Fire and Rescue Service. She was promoted to Watch Manager on

April 1, 2010 and her current role is Watch Manager Fire Control Centre.

JANICE KING STEVE APTERSteve Apter with Nina,

Andrea, Lucia, Joyce and

Elliot

JOHN GREGORY

CREW MANAGER (RETIRED) John Gregory,

joined IW Fire and Rescue Service in October 1989 serving as a Retained Firefighter Crew Manager until March 2010 before

retiring.

Lynn Phillips and John Gregory

SEAN HARRISON

Donna and Sean Harrison

DANIEL BUSH

Daniel Bush with his mother

CREW MANAGER Daniel Bush, joined IW Fire and Rescue Service in May 1989 and was promoted to Crew Manager in September 2001. Daniel is currently a Crew Manager at Ventnor Fire Station.


FEATURE

GROUP MANAGER Julian Fountaine, on Secondment to Fire Service College,

joined IW Fire and Rescue Service Retained Duty System in October 1989 and transferred to Wholetime Firefighter

Newport in 1991 and was promoted to Sub Officer in December 1995, He was promoted to Station Manager on June 21, 2004 and his current role is Group Manager Seconded to Fire Service

College

GRAHAM ORCHARD

STATION MANAGER Graham Orchard joined

IW Fire and Rescue Service as a Retained Firefighter in

May 1989 transferring to the Wholetime Fire Service, serving at

Newport in January 1992 and was promoted to Leading Firefighter after six years. He is now currently a Station Manager, based at Service Headquarters. Graham is currently a Community Prevention and Protection Manager.

JULIE BROWN

STATION MANAGER Julie Brown, Fire Control, joined

IW Fire and Rescue Service after transferring from Hereford and

Worcester Fire Service. She was promoted to Watch Manager in

January 2009. Julie is currently the Station Manager of the IW Fire Control Centre.

STATION MANAGER Jayne Tyler, served with

Buckinghamshire Fire Service and transferred to IW Fire and Rescue

Service Control in November 1998 Jayne was promoted to Senior Fire

Control Operator in September 2001. Further promotion to Station Manager Fire Control in September 2009. Her current

role is Firelink Project Delivery Manager at Service Headquarters.

JAYNE TYLER

JULIAN FOUNTAINE JUSTIAN HEDLEY

FIREFIGHTER, Justian Hedley, joined IW Fire and Rescue Service in October 1989 and is currently a Retained Firefighter at East Cowes.

ANDREW WREN

CREW MANAGER, Andrew Wren, joined the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service in May 1989. Andrew was promoted to Crew Manager in February 1999. He is currently a

retained Crew Manager at Newport Fire Station.

MORE PICTURES ONLINE AT WWW.IWGAZETTE.CO.UK


FEATURE

A NEW SHOP for the RSPCA was opened in Shanklin and joins the charity’s chain of eight shops across the Island, including two furniture shops in Newport and a new one in St John’s Road in Ryde.

This is all good news for the Bohemia Corner animal centre near Rookley as all the funds raised will go towards the keeping the centre open – another five people had to be laid off at the end of September.

Ken Rivers, IW Branch Chairman, was on hand to cut the ribbon on the society’s new shop, and volunteers from the shop looked on.

“This comes at an opportune moment as income falters while costs keep rising,” said Daryll Pitcher, Retail Manager.

“The RSPCA already has shops at Lake and Ventnor and the new Shanklin shop nestles neatly between the pair,” he added. “It is situated on

the High Street, opposite the end of Regent Street and near to the pedestrian crossing. The shop has a light airy feel helped by the high ceiling.

“The clothes are hung neatly on the rails in the middle, with books down one wall and bric-a-brac on the other. The volunteers are waiting

with a smile to serve you.”Anyone wanting to help

at the IW RSPCA in any way should either contact the Animal Centre or the Newport shop.

POLICE PROBING BAD DRIVING

POLICE are investigating reports of dangerous driving on the Island.

Officers want to speak with any motorists and witnesses who may have been concerned over how a black Renault Clio was being driven in the Ryde, Newport and Cowes areas between 7pm and 9pm on Saturday, September 18.

A 20-year-old man from Cowes, Isle of Wight was arrested this month on suspicion of dangerous driving. He was bailed until November 2, 2010 pending further enquiries.

SHANKLIN POLICE STATION IS BACK

IN BUSINESSSHANKLIN police station’s has re-opened to the public after a temporary closure during September. And there have been reassurances the station is not about to shut permanently.

It was business as usual as a result of an increase in the number of Station Enquiry Officers (SEOs) available to work on the Island. The rest of the Shanklin police station was unaffected during September with no changes to the community patrols and duties of frontline officers and staff from the Targeted Patrol teams, Safer Neighbourhoods teams and Roads Policing Unit based at Shanklin.

The Shanklin front office is now open to the public from 8.30am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm between Monday and Saturday. On Sundays, the front office is open from 8.30am to 1pm and from 2pm to 4.30pm. Outside these hours, people can also contact police by using the free emergency yellow telephone on the front wall of Shanklin police station at the junction of Landguard Road and Carter Road opposite the Somerfield supermarket.

Inspector Paul Savill said: “We reluctantly had to take the temporary decision to close the Shanklin front office during September because two of the Island’s SEOs were off work with long-term sickness. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience the temporary closure may have caused. I would also like to reassure people that there are no current plans to close Shanklin police station.”

MAKE A PERSONALIZED VISIT

FOR A BRAND new shopping experience drop into Personalize next to Gems Bridal Shop in Scarrots Lane, Newport.

The shop supply beautiful personalized gifts to suit any occasion, which include engraved jewellery and trinkets, embroidered bears,

decorated glass, candles and ceramic products, covering every occasion and all produced in house enabling non- stop development of new lines.

With a wide range of designs to choose from you are sure to find that little something special

and unusual when shopping for a gift for weddings, birthdays, Christmas, christenings – in fact any occasion you can think of!

Personalize will also be offering personalized ranges including stunning name frames, new photographic products,

gifts for pets and children’s ceramic gifts.

In addition to all of the personalized gifts available there will be beautiful hand made cards, gift wrap, jewellery and accessories for the home.

Personalize are now open and look forward

to seeing new customers coming in time to start their Christmas shopping. A ‘Shopping Evening’ will be held at the end of October with a very Christmassy theme, mince pies, mulled wine will be offered to all on arrival to enjoy whilst you browse.

A PURR-FECT OPENING


FEATURE

A FULL HOUSE FOR ST GEORGE’S ART SHOW

Fleur showing her panels

Simon with a smile

IT WAS standing room only in the Michael West Gallery for the opening of the St George’s School exhibition in the smaller Learning Curve gallery next-door.

Much of the Island’s elite was in attendance for the launch of the pupil’s creative response to the current exhibition in the Michael West Gallery – The Art of Travel by Bembridge-based artist Stewart Orr.

Invited guests included Lord Lieutenant Martin White and his wife, the High Sheriff, Peter Kingston and his wife, David Pugh IW Council, Dawn Cousins Cabinet and Child Services, Ian Stephens Chair of Council, Nina Cullinane Arts Dev. Officer, Caroline Bastion Archdeacon, Debbie Lavin Principal IoW College,Clare Mitchell Sch Gov St George’s, CarolAnne Eades Arts Co-ordinator, Guy Eades Healing Arts and Justine Turner Chair of Governors.

Financed and arranged by the local branch of the NADFAS (National Association of Fine Arts Societies) it was Judith Hook, chair of the Vectis branch who gave the opening address.

Chris Jenkins, the talented young artist who took the workshops with the children to produce their wonderful response, was then able to explain the process by which the work

Stewart Orr

Chris Jenkins and Debbie Robins


FEATURE

A FULL HOUSE FOR ST GEORGE’S ART SHOW

Left to right: Christopher, Gri Harrison the Nationalchair of NADFAS and Judith Hook the Vectis chair

was executed.Then NADFAS National Chairman, Gri

Harrison said a few words about their Young Arts projects, chaired by Penny Livermore, and was presented with a photograph of the artwork done by the St George’s School pupils by pupil Christopher Ayres who painted three of the canvases in the display.

Head of St George’s School, Sue Holman spoke of the great privilege it is to work in a school like St George’s.

“Art within the school is a passion and what makes us incredibly proud is when we can exhibit to a larger community,” said Mrs Holman before thanking NADFAS, Quay Arts and Chris Jenkins. “You’re a huge inspiration to the people in the school,” she added referring to Chris.

“Thank you to the students,” she stressed. “You are our stars – you make every day different. And thanks to Carol Ann Eades, “ said Mrs Holman to her Head of Art.

Lord Lieutenant Major General Martin White was suitably impressed and gave a heartwarming speech about the work and the school.

Looking around the Michael West Gallery, the assembled crowd was able to view Stewart Orr’s work before moving across to the Learning Curve to see the children’s inspired canvases and wall frieze.

Stewart Orr was particularly impressed with the black and white depiction of the buildings the children had ‘travelled to’ during the project – mainly the Quay Arts building and others around Newport.

After the speeches and presentation guests mingled in the galleries, sipping Pimms, soft drinks and tasty nibbles. The exhibitions run until October 16 and are well worth a visit – the responses from the children are quite astounding.

If you would like some more information about NADFAS you can get it at www.nadfas.org.uk

Lord Lieutenant Major General Martin White

Sue Holman and Carol-AnnEades


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FEATURE

TREEHOUSE PROVES A GRAND DESIGNIF YOU GO down to the woods today you’re in for a big surprise…because something rather special is nestling in a small grove near Quarr Abbey in Wootton, Isle of Wight and it was featured in Channel 4’s Grand Designs.

Not for architect Lincoln Miles and artist Lisa Traxler was New England cladding

the answer to their dreams – it’s been done to death let’s face it. No, it was a rustic singed larch that had fired Lincoln’s imagination and they had to burn it before they put it up on the building.

And the yoghurt was a crowd puller – but it’s not really a building material, more of a cosmetic afterthought. Yes it is painted onto the outside of

the building, but no it’s not holding the walls up.

It’s not encouraging moss and lichen yet either, but it will…and it was a great chance to see Kevin McCloud from Grand Designs elbow deep in ordure of the bovine variety. Lisa and he went ‘down on the farm’ to mix different formulas of yoghurt and other natural materials


FEATURE

TREEHOUSE PROVES A GRAND DESIGN

to paint onto the corrugated cow shed building material they used as a contrast to the larch.

And that was what made the backbone of the Grand Designs episode, which began with Kevin McCloud on the deck of the Fishbourne ferry, leaving the mainland behind him and waxing lyrically about the couple who were building a yoghurt house.

But this is not just a yoghurt house, it is a Lincoln Miles designed and multi-flavoured yoghurt house. A beautiful butterfly of a home that has made a metamorphosis from what was a 1960s bog standard bungalow, complete with fake stone walls, into a contemporary masterpiece complete with moat and tower.

Lisa and Lincoln could have

just demolished the two/three bedroom down-at-heel house that stood on the site and started from scratch. Indeed the planners would have preferred it and the cost would have been

considerably less.But living within the four

walls of the little box, brought out feelings of pathos in the pair – how could they raise her to the ground after she’d sheltered them from the storms of two Island winters?

At this point you have to bear in mind the fact that prior to woodland living, Lincoln, Lisa and Ellie had been used to a life on the ocean wave – Bembridge

harbour to be precise - where they lived on a converted World War II torpedo boat.

The quirky old tub had been converted into a beautiful airy space by Lincoln, and their “garden was the sea”,

but it must have been a bit unstable on stormy winter nights.

Moving onto dry land was quite a wrench for the young couple and daughter Ellie. It

was the location that was going to be the make or break of this adventure and first they attempted to buy a property with a waterfront location in Wootton but were unsuccessful.

Drowning their sorrows in Liberties wine bar and restaurant in Ryde on the rainy Saturday they heard about losing the purchase, the couple scoured estate agents catalogues in silence.

And right at the back of one publication, she was poking her head out from amongst the oak and ash woodland between Quarr Abbey and the beach.

Falling in love with the location, they decided to put up with her until they had plans in place to effect a complete new build, But

little did they know that this dowdy, and some might say ugly, little oblong box would worm her way so soundly into their affections.

On the programme Lisa and Lincoln spoke of their rather ugly first purchase with glowing terms. They had come to love her, whilst living within her and planning their

grand design, seventies stone fireplace and all.

And funnily enough this bungalow, which had replaced another structure built in the late 50s on the same site, was to become an integral part of the new living space that was created.

“It was quite a hindrance having to build around her,”

“Something rather special is nestling in a small grove near Quarr Abbey.”


FEATURE

said Linc. We had to build the tower building first and then start on our studios at the other end because we had to get around the bungalow to get access to the back, but our main contractor John Peck worked around it.”

A tower? How was that going to work in a wood? Well the answer is that it works very well, because Lincoln knows quite a lot about sight lines. From the front of the house it appears to raise a comfortable level above the front façade. But standing on the top terrace of the tower and looking down the shiny silver flu from the ground floor ‘snug’s’ wood burning stove and you don’t

want to be scared of heights. You really are in the top of the trees – not quite high enough to see the sea but right in the canopy amongst the leaves.

Incidentally the wood- burning stove is a Charnwood Cove 2 SR (Smoke Reduction) made at AJ Wells in Newport. It is so efficient that it can burn wood in smoke reduction zones. This means it is ideal for town and city dwellers as well as those in the trees.

“Lisa and Linc chose the Cove 2 because it has that retro vibe to it,” said Ced Wells, Marketing Director at AJ Wells.

Walking in to the building

has definite wow factor without being ostentatiously over the top. The path that wends its way across the lawn and over the mooted entranceway is made of common or garden kerbstones.

But the wall inside the front door, screening the open plan kitchen/diner and garden room from prying eyes is an amazing statement, as artist friend Garry Whitehead covered it in a pop art style cartoon strip mural in three shades of green.

In fact it is the artwork in and around the Treehouse that really puts the icing on the cake – from Lisa’s amazing abstract enamel


FEATUREfrieze on the bottom of the tower to the individual art pieces in every room in the house. “It was so funny making the enamel down at AJ Wells,” said Lisa. “The workmen kept walking past me working on it on their way to the café and asking me whether it was finished yet or not.”

The home is also a working museum for a whole host of genuine and neo vintage fifties/sixties/seventies posters, coasters and furniture. A spectacular seventies glass lampshade, a sunburst clock on the stone fireplace in the bungalow wing, the blue lady coasters on the oak tapered leg coffee table, a bobble ended magazine rack, Parker Knoll chairs that Lisa managed to get re-covered by the original company and Ridgeway Homemaker Pottery plates for afternoon tea.

But it is the contemporary features that dazzle – the bedroom in the tower overlooking the trees with its own terrace, and on the first floor below the decadence of their own dressing room (“for all our shirts and jeans – we never wear anything else!”) and a wet room with huge shower and a sunken bath looking out over the larger terrace on the middle area of the living space below.

Looking down from this terrace and you see right through the glass ceiling panel made bespoke by Topline Windows, which is to the front of the kitchen/diner and also down onto the enormous sliding American walnut doors made by the joinery shop and glazed by John Simpkins that open the whole of the side of this room to the garden.

Below, the glass panel allows light to flood into the kitchen where you can dine at the breakfast bar on fifties upholstered bar stools or at the metal dining table on one of the original Victorian cinema seats.

Under your feet in this room is the parke floor that took so long to strip of its bitumen base. The heating is all underfloor, so the floor would have been on the move once it had been heated if this labour of love hadn’t been painstakingly affected by Goldman Harrison.

There are also plans afoot for an ambitious grey water recycling and oxygenating scheme to both water the roof terraces and feed a pond in the garden.

Both Lisa and Lincoln can now work from home in the building that now sits where the garage once stood. A large studio for Lisa’s lovely artwork opens out onto the garden and Lincoln’s architectural office is to the front.

Decking skirts the building, hugging her contours, “That was Lisa’s idea,” said Lincoln. “I would have had a great expanse of it, but Lisa was right, it looks much better like this.”

All in all you can tell that this was not only a labour of love, but also a labour with love. But the mud clearly, nearly took away their sense of humour for a while. See the build at www.treehouseisleofwight.com or view the episode of Grand Designs at www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs and the treehouse has its own website with build diary at www.treehouseisleofwight.co.uk


FEATURE

PART OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS

FIND YOUR WAY BACK TO WORK WITH JOBCENTRE PLUSJOB TITLELOCATION

DESCRIPTION

WAGES DURATION

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

Night Care Worker

Newport

Night care assistant required for 3 nights per week, caring for the needs of elderly residents in our small EMI unit. Duties will include personal care. Experience preferred. Training is available to right candidate. A CRB ISA check will be required.

Wage exceeds national minimum wage. 3 nights per week. Sun, Weds and Thurs 8pm – 8am.

Permanent

NIW/11271- Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

JOB TITLELOCATION

DESCRIPTION

WAGES DURATION


Cleaner

Ryde

Previous experience is preferred. Duties include cleaning of retail outlet, to include sweeping, vacuuming and all aspects of cleaning as required.

National minimum wage. 4+ per week between Mon – Sun days and evenings .

Permanent

RFM/6707- Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

JOB TITLELOCATION

DESCRIPTION

WAGES DURATION


Home Help

Seaview

Female required to assist elderly lady in domestic setting. Duties to include cooking a meal, cleaning, changing sheets etc and any other duties as required. No personal care involved.

£6.50 per hr. 4 days per week. Tues and Thurs Hrs between 9am – 12 noon.

Permanent

RFM/6660 - Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

JOBS

JOB TITLELOCATIONDESCRIPTION

WAGES DURATION


Dispensary Assistant

Shanklin

Applicants must have dispensary experience, and be able to work on your own, or as part of a team. Must possess excellent customer service skills. Duties will include dispensing items, using the computer to produce medication labels and order stock, checking and putting away deliveries, answering the telephone, and keeping the dispensary clean and tidy.

£6 per hr. 16 hrs per week Tues and Thurs 9am – 6pm. Permanent



WAGES DURATION


P/T Cleaner

Ventnor

Commercial Cleaner wanted for a variety of tasks including mopping, toilet cleaning, washing walls, vacuuming, emptying bins and dusting. We require someone who can operate specialist cleaning equipment, as this role involves lifting and carrying, someone who is physically able to do these tasks. Previous cleaning experience is desired, but not essential.

£6.88 per hr. Mon – Sat. 10am – 11.10am Permanent

NIW/11213 - Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.


WAGES DURATION


Delivery Driver

Ryde

Successful applicants will work for Domino’s Pizza starting September 2010. Applicants must hold a full current driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points and have their own transport. No previous experience is required as full training will be given. Drivers will be delivering pizzas to customers homes in the local area and assisting in store when required.

Wage exceeds national minimum wage. 15+ hrs per week over day and night shifts.

Permanent



WAGES DURATION


Care/Support Worker

Islandwide

Must have access to a vehicle and a full driving licence is essential. Previous experience is not required as full training will be given. You will be required to care and support vulnerable people in their own homes in the community, duties include shopping, housework and any other related tasks to support the care for the vulnerable. Two references will be required. There will be a 2/3 days induction with ongoing training.

Wage: £6.20 - £7.74 per hr. Various hours available to suit applicant – full and part time.

Permanent



WAGES DURATION


Consultant

Newport

No experience required. Duties include assisting with parties and demonstrating Vie cosmetics, skin care, bath and body, jewellery products and home ware.This is a self employed vacancy. Financial commitment required - you may be asked to provide a fee (£49.50) if you are successful in your application. You are advised to seek independent financial advice.

1-40 hours per week. Work hours are set to suit you. You can work during school term time only or during school breaks or both.

Permanent

NIW/10689- Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.


WAGES DURATION


Care Assistant

Shanklin

Full training will be provided. Duties are general care of elderly residents, serving breakfast and any other related duties as required. Uniform will be supplied. 6 weeks annual leave. May be required to cover sickness and holidays. Successful applicants are required to provide an enhanced disclosure. Disclosure expense will be met by employer.

Wage: £ 6.07 per hr plus 25p weekend work plus 20p attendance bonus. Sundays 8am – 4pm.

Permanent



FEATURE

NEW LIFEBOAT SAILS IN

RAILWAY fan and music producer Pete Waterman (pictured) will be at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway today (Fri).

He will be attending as part of the special ‘Calbourne Weekend’ to mark the return of The Railway’s newly repaired flagship locomotive, 1891-built LSWR O2 Class locomotive No. W24 ‘Calbourne’.

Alongside his career as a hugely successful pop impressario, Pete Waterman is now also widely recognised as being a major figure in the world of steam locomotives and is a strong supporter of heritage railways across the UK.

Pete owns LNWR Heritage Ltd – the major steam

locomotive repair and restoration business based in Crewe where the boiler to IW Steam Railway locomotive No. 24 ‘Calbourne’ was repaired. It is hoped that he will take part in the formal dedication ceremony and take a trip on ‘Calbourne’.

Throughout the celebration weekend there will be a two-train service featuring two former Island locomotives

in steam together for the first time in eight years. Both locomotives date from the time when Queen Victoria was still on the throne! For the photographers, a diesel-hauled goods set will be in operation, and there will also be a chance to meet Calbourne’s former footplatemen who crewed the loco back in BR days. The star of the show, No. 24

‘Calbourne’, resplendent in early British Railways lined black livery, will head a train of former London Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSCR) and South-Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) bogie coaches, recreating a typical Island railway scene from half a century ago.

Meanwhile, the Steam

Railway’s oldest locomotive, the 1876-built ‘Terrier’ class engine No.8 ‘Freshwater’ will head a train of Victorian four-wheeled coaches recreating a typical Southern Railway scene from the inter-war years. The two-train service will enable visitors to ride behind two different trains both of which will comprise only former Island railway rolling stock. Each day at 4.35pm there will also be a special working of the IW Steam Railway’s unique ‘push-pull’ set with Locomotive No.8 ‘Freshwater’.

The Railway has invited Calbourne’s footplate crews from BR days, Ken West, Tony Tiltman, Ray Maxfield and John Farrngton,

plus former guard Wally Thrower, as guests during the weekend. It is expected that Ken West will be on the footplate from time to time.

In addition, there will be

a chance each day to meet and chat with Ken and some of the other former BR crew over a cup of tea or pint of ale, and hear their memories of Island steam in BR days.

WATERMAN STEAMS IN FOR BIG DAY

BEMBRIDGE RNLI volunteer crew have finally sailed their long awaited new lifeboat to its new home.

The new Tamar class lifeboat, Alfred Albert Williams, arrived at the lifeboat station last Sunday following the completion of a week’s training at the RNLI’s headquarters in Poole, Dorset.

The £2.7m boat has been the subject of much anticipation for the crew and fundraisers in Bembridge as the lifeboat, and the replacement boathouse that will be her new home, has been the subject of a £1m public appeal for funds.

Bembridge is the first RNLI

station in the south east region to receive a Tamar, the new generation of RNLI lifeboats. The fact she has been assigned to a station which has been saving

lives at sea since 1867 is a source of great excitement for the crew and the whole RNLI community.

The RNLI volunteers nationwide provide a 24-hour search and rescue service. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue

service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.


FEATURE

IT WASN’T only the parents of happy couple who were in tears at Northwood House last weekend when the house closed its doors to civil marriage ceremonies – even the registrar had a lump in his throat.

Presiding over the wedding of Marie Wiltshire to Lee Thomas, Superintendent Registrar DMP Randall said that he felt quite emotional.

The couple had managed to book the Northwood House venue just in time, before the doors close and the council provides a room at Seaclose Park that will hold only four guests.

“We were very lucky to get in, just in time before it closes,” said Marie

who wore a full-length ivory gown with spaghetti straps and purple detail beading. Maid of Honour Kelly Snudden attended her, 32, in a lilac/purple knee length dress and Rhiana Pitman, 3, Marie’s daughter, in a long white princess gown.

Georgia Snudden, 6, was dressed as a pageboy in silver waistcoat and cravat and her brother Ryan Snudden wore the same. Marie’s son William Pitman aged only 11 months was also a pageboy in a pinstriped suit.

The reception was held at the Chequers Inn at Rookley and an evening celebration was hosted at Gurnard Pines where Lee is Guest Services Manager.

Marie is the manager of Millets in Newport.

Marie’s father Mr. Eric Wiltshire of Blackwater Road drove Marie to the ceremony in his classic green Jaguar. Her mother, June Wickham lives in Nodgham Lane, Carisbrooke.

Lee’s father Kelvin Thomas travelled down from Wales for the ceremony and his mother Mrs Linda Groves from her home in Ventnor.

“If you’ve got two sets of parents each side, as we have, there are going to be lots of arguments,” said Marie. “They’ll have to rethink the situation, she said of the small room

at Seaclose that the council will be offering in the near future.

Marie and Lee spent a week at Adgestone Caravan and Camping Park with their children but will be taking a holiday in hotter climes in March next year. They have made their home in Garden Way, Newport.

There are 23 venues on the Island that are licensed for civil wedding ceremonies and we have been featuring them in this and our last issue. For a non church wedding that will accommodate more than four guests check the council website for details. Here we feature the beautiful Priory Bay Hotel.

HELLO READERS I’m back after a summer of sickness. It began at the beginning of April and culminated in three quite nasty infections throughout September, the latter two requiring increasingly strong anti-biotics.

I’m not one to dwell on my ailments, but I’ve chosen to share them with you because help came under a most serendipitous set of circumstances and I thought you might be interested to hear about how I’ve been healed.

Homeopathy, in a nutshell, was the answer. And I was a complete atheist as far as this field was concerned until ten days ago.

But an inspiring day with Maeve Smith, the Cowes based homeopathist, brought help in more ways than one.

Firstly it transpired that we have a similar taste in tea (Joliffe’s), essential accessories (Live Like This) second hand clothing and the lovely new garb in Pat’s wonderful ‘Angels’ emporium.

Talking at length, as only us girlies can, we discovered that we both had been badly let down by close friends over the past summer months – something that cuts to the quick whenever it happens.

It had been a salutary lesson for both of us that reminded me of that old adage ‘Don’t mix business with pleasure’. I now have no ‘alternative’ therapist and Maeve had lost a website designer.

However it seems that there’s a happy ending to

this story for me. I’d sort of forgotten that Maeve was a homeopathist – and to tell the truth I’d always been in the Jack Naylor (Holby) camp of denying its efficacy. How could a miniscule amount of something on a tiny sugar pill have any effect?

But I dutifully took the two pills she prescribed: one at lunchtime and one in the evening, and I am now beginning to feel human again. After two days the itching stopped (you don’t want to know, believe me) and now the offending squatter has all but disappeared. This after the doctors at the hospital told me that I “might need a small procedure under general anesthetic” two weeks ago.

“Doctors will say it was the

anti-biotics, but I’d like to think that I kick started your immune system,” said Maeve modestly. I think it was the little pills – but hey who knows?

I’m going back to Maeve for help with my insomnia soon. I can’t tell you how difficult I find the periods of sleeplessness that I go through, and my husband suffers them with me of course. Sleeping draughts can become a crutch that beats me over the head – that groggy feeling in the morning and the need to take more and more. Not a good solution.

So Good Morning Gazette Readers! Jo Macaulay has re-entered the building. And there are so many injustices on the horizon to be vanquished!

Watch this space and READ OUR PAPER. And if you’ve got a business then start advertising with us too – you do want us to go on entertaining and informing you, don’t you? WE NEED

YOU – and you know you need us too…

You can contact Maeve on 07966247884 or on 559006 - she now has a new website designer by the way and her website will be live soon.

THE RETURN OF JO’S BLOG By Jo Macaulay

THE LAST WEDDING ATNORTHWOOD HOUSE


FEATURE

PARADISE AT THE BAY

IF YOU’RE looking for the ultimate wedding ceremony, breakfast and honeymoon venue all rolled into one then the Priory Bay Hotel has absolute luxury with the comfortable air of a country home, and complete privacy.

Set in its own grounds, hidden away above the beach at St Helen’s, it’s hard to find unless you know its location. But once you enter between the two stone pillars and make your way slowly down the drive you enter into another world.

Imagine your husband-to-be riding down this drive on a white charger to join you on the lawn to pledge his troth – this was the remit for a recent wedding and the Priory Bay were happy to comply.

There are three venues for your ceremony: the comfortable Victorian style lounge overlooking the sea with it’s surprising hexagon-windowed chimney feature or the wonderful ‘Island Room’ restaurant with views of Bembridge Harbour on the panoramic murals. The Crace brothers painted these in 1810 – the same duo that painted the Brighton Pavilion for naughty Bertie, The Prince Regent.

Or you could opt for the larger ‘Priory Oyster’ beach restaurant with terrace overlooking the woods and beach and next summer you

may also be able to marry on the beach – a first for the Island.

Owner Andrew Palmer is a seasoned world traveller and has added an oriental touch to the comfortable traditionally British interior. Honeymoon suite, room number 20, is perhaps the cosiest and the most decadent choice of bedchamber with its deep red and ivory interior, enormous bed beneath the dark wooden eaves, oriental furnishings and fabulous roll top bath in the corner of the room. A screen is provided for your modesty, but you’re not going to need that on honeymoon are you?

A room with a view is what you prefer – no problem. Overlook the sea from the front of the house in a choice of rooms and you can choose from a range of uniquely styled rooms.

A night at this hotel and you feel like a pop star or a celebrity incognito – imagine how you would feel on your wedding day.

And the food is beyond words; although sumptuous, imaginative, artistic, surprising, contemporary, fresh, delectable, ‘dances on the tongue’, and decadent might be a few you’d use to describe the waterfall of tastes and sensations you’d encounter if you try the chef’s taster menu.

First a small glass of the chef’s foamy cauliflower soup – this overlooked vegetable had never tasted so good. The ‘Seared Scallop and Boudin Noir’ cleverly juxtaposed the smooth, succulent taste and texture of the scallops with tiny tangy slices of black pudding.

Sea Bass and Truffle Risotto with pickled wild mushroom,

leek and truffle foam was a delicious medley of flavours and had at least two ingredients I’d never tried – Chanterelle mushrooms and the truffle foam – yum.

Grilled Fillet of Island Beef with Bone Marrow Croquette, Ceps, Salsify and fondant potato was rich, round and perfectly cooked and with enough meat to keep a man happy (a meat eating one anyway).

But it was the Priory Praline Finger that took the biscuit for me – a rich dark chocolate coated chocolate mousse, embedded with crunchy praline pieces on a bedrock of sweet pastry, which was presented on the plate looking like a bauble hanging from a Christmas tree.

Head Chef Tyler Torrence has just joined the Priory Bay and is bringing a fresh new approach to the Priory. Formerly at the George in Yarmouth, and latterly the West Bay Club, this talented Canadian has made a life choice to raise his young family on the Island – much to the Island’s benefit. Look out Robert Thompson!

Restaurant manager Tom Ekler is a sweetie and so helpful, the waiting staff are as sensitive and responsive as you’d like them to be and your host is usually around – this is his home after all. Although Andrew does also

spend time in London as he is one of the owners of the Roussillon in Knightsbridge.

After dancing till dawn on the lawn, or dining in style with fine wines in the choice of the three restaurants you could awake in the morning and take your first walk together as man and wife to watch the sunrise from the

beach.And you have the wonderful

old priory entrance porch for your wedding photographs – it’s probably the closest you can get to a church wedding on the Island without the church. There’s even a small church style ‘altar’ in the grounds where you could have a blessing.


ADVERTISEMENT


FEATURE

THERE WILL be a few strange and bizarre events going on at the Isle of Wight Zoo over the next few months – but all in a good cause.

Many are already aware that the Zoo, based at Yaverland, has a long history of providing sanctuary for tigers. Some of them have sad or distressing backgrounds, having spent their youth in circuses or being rejected by their mothers, and as they would not survive in the wild the zoo staff work hard to give them happy comfortable lives.

However, the zoo’s work goes much further than that, and many may be unaware of their work protecting wild tigers.

For several years the Isle of Wight Zoo has

been supporting tiger conservation in India through funding projects identified by charity Global Tiger Patrol. Earlier this year the zoo received the exciting news that their current project, supporting local advocacy for tiger conservation project in Karnataka, will be expanding.

The area is populated with wild tigers in the Kudremukh National Park and Bhadra Reserve, and the project leader has been working tirelessly with local people to promote conservation. Not only does this affect tigers, it also works to promote other wildlife and at the same time has a hugely positive effect on the communities who share their live with the tigers.

The project has three main aims: to educate local people; build a communication network that involves the whole community in spotting signs of wildlife crime and reduce conflict between tigers and humans by supporting people who want to move out of the park.

The expansion will allow them to employ two field assistants to support the project leader. It will pay for them to travel the long distances necessary, and it will provide them with the equipment they need to do their job.

This year the Isle of Wight Zoo’s contribution will increase threefold, to over £10,000. This will mean a renewed emphasis on conservation

fundraising, which the team are already very excited about. They have a full breakdown of costs – from the £10 a month utilities bill to the £140 monthly salary of a senior field assistant – and are looking forwards to ticking them off as they go.

That is why Island residents can expect to see some strange and bizarre events going on through the year, all in aid of the zoo’s flagship species. If any individuals, organisations or businesses would like to get involved they’ll be welcomed with open paws!

Fundraising was kicked off on Sunday (Sept 26) which was World Tiger Day, and therefore seems the ideal time to make the campaign official.

IW ZOO EARNS ITS STRIPES



NEWS FOR US?

GHOSTLY GOINGS-ONFEARLESS SOULS - young and old - can take a walk with Professor Midnight, eminent Victorian ghost hunter and expert on all things phantasmagorical, to uncover some of the inexplicable happenings at Carisbrooke Castle during half term week.

His walks will uncover some of the strange goings-on and spectral sightings at the site - including the story of the pale face of a girl drowning in the castle well and transparent ladies noiselessly walking their dogs on gravel.

As he attempts to get to the bottom of various reports of paranormal activity, the Professor will be making perambulations at frequent intervals throughout the day - and luckily for those of a timorous disposition - provide his own lantern to lead the way!

Suitable for children and brave adults the tours last 20 minutes and will be running throughout each day from Monday 25 to Sunday 31 October. Youngsters can also have fun around the grounds to find hidden clues in a Spooky Quest and every

ghost buster that successfully unravels the trail will receive a chocolate treat.

On Wednesday October 27 visitors have the chance to meet the Islands famous paranormal author Gay Baldwin, who will be at the castle for a book signing from 11am - 3pm.

Normal admission prices apply of just £7.00 for adults and £6.00 for

concessions and £3.50 for children. English Heritage members are admitted free. Carisbrooke Castle is on Castle Hill in Newport (PO30 1XY) and is open daily from 10am-5pm.

For further information on Carisbrooke Castle or other English Heritage properties on the Isle of Wight call 0870 333 1183 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk.


NEWS

HOPPINESS IN GARDEN

HOW ABOUT A NEW CHRISTMAS PARTNERISLANDERS are being asked to do something different this Christmas and support Canine Partners in their quest to change the lives of more people with disabilities, by signing a loved one up to their Adopt a Puppy campaign for just £1 a week.

The Charity Canine Partners provides specially trained assistance dogs for people with disabilities and your gift will allow them to put more puppies through the training required to become an assistance dog.

By signing up to the Charity’s Adopt a Puppy scheme, supported by Purina PetCare, your gift recipient will receive an introduction letter, adoption certificate, glossy photos and a soft toy puppy. They will also enjoy regular ‘pupdates’ with photos and news on how their puppy is doing.

Once the trained puppies graduate as canine partners, they will go on to assist people with disabilities in a huge range of everyday

tasks able-bodied people take for granted. This can include picking up dropped items, opening doors, taking washing from the machine, operating pedestrian crossings and much more.

Lorna Marsh has Cerebral Palsy Quadraplegia and has this to say about her canine

partner Eli, “In just one year Eli can do so much, it’s difficult to believe unless you can see it for yourself. I knew that having a canine partner would help my independence, but I truly didn’t realise quite how much. Every time Eli does something for me I feel like it’s me doing it for myself, so I’m not so dependent on people anymore which is the best feeling.”

Isabel Campbell, Director of Fundraising and Marketing

at Canine Partners said: “An Adopt a Puppy gift is perfect for Christmas, or any other occasion, and lasts all year, as well as being a way to give regularly to Canine Partners. We need to train more dogs to help the hundreds of people with disabilities currently on the waiting list for a canine

partner. We thank Purina PetCare for working together with us to increase awareness of this programme.”

Canine Partners also has a range of Christmas cards featuring images such as puppies in the snow, garden robin and sparkling festive forest, priced from £2.99 for a pack of ten. These and other Christmas gift ideas can be found by visiting www.caninepartners.org.uk/shop-1

“I knew that having a canine partner would help my independence, but I truly didn’t realise quite how much.

AROUND 3,000 people made their way to the Botanic Gardens in Ventnor for the first ever ‘Hop Festival and Traditional Skills Fayre’.

The festival was organised by the West Wight Landscape Partnership and featured Botanic Ale ‘Hoppiness’ brewed form hops grown in the gardens.

There was entertainment in the beer tent from various local musicians such as Dr Jones and the Blunt Instruments and former Quay Arts director Mick Smith. Two Morris troupes, including the Border Bloodstone Morris dancers livened things upon the central green.

Several Island food stalls were selling local produce including the Garlic Farm, Mary Case Honey and Heritage Potatoes from Lee Farm, which are on the menu at the Hambrough Hotel, Briddlesford Farm Shop and the Quay Arts amongst others.

Rearing rarer varieties of potato has grown from a hobby to a business over the last year for farmer Steve Cowley, with names such as Kestrel, Vivaldi, Witchill 1881 and Ladychristl

Traditional skills were being demonstrated by local craftspeople. Tim Johnson was making a scran lunch bag that would have


NEWS

HOPPINESS IN GARDEN

FOUR OUTBOARD engines have been stolen from Whippingham near East Cowes.

Now police are asking Islanders to be vigilant, and take care of their own property because of the threat of further thefts.

Boats moored at a pontoon near the Folly Inn were targeted by thieves during the early hours of Thursday, September 23. The thefts may be linked to a similar report from Shalfleet on July 2 when a number of men were suspected of trying to steal an outboard motor from a boat. On that occasion, three men, aged in their 20s from the Island, were arrested, but later released with no further action because of insufficient evidence.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “We would like to thank boat owners who have contacted the police so far. Your information is being used to pursue several lines of enquiry. Specialist scenes

of crime officers are looking for forensic evidence, and we are continuing to appeal for more information about people acting suspiciously near pontoons and boat yards on the island recently.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone Newport Police Station on 101. From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call the police on 0845 045 45 45.

Police have also reminded harbour masters and boat owners of techniques and technology to protect their property. A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman added: “Take a moment to consider how you would get into your boat if you were locked out. This is probably the way the thief will try, so improve your security with effective locks, which will last in the marine environment. Look at the equipment stored on your boat such as outboard motors and dinghies and use appropriate security devices to secure

them.“Many items are already

marked with some sort of serial number, hull identification numbers on dinghies, engine numbers on outboards, serial numbers on electronics and life rafts; make sure that you record these details somewhere that you can find them again if we need them.

“We strongly recommend additional means of marking. We acknowledge that this will not stop your things being stolen but it increases the chances of us being able to return them to you. The important thing is to use a system which will allow the finder to identify you, such as a house or club post code or phone number but they must be current so remember to update them. Ensure that the marks are clearly visible and difficult to remove. Support this by marking them out of sight, so that there is still something to check if the obvious marks are removed.”

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Mike Thornton of the West Wight Safer Neighbourhoods team assisting a boat owner in applying SmartWater to an

outboard motor at Yarmouth Harbour this summer

been carried over the shoulder on a stick by men working in the fields. John Navin of Wight Woodturners was demonstrating the art of woodturning on a large hand lathe and selling examples of his work.

A tasty barbecue run by the Royal Hotel’s Garden Café at the Botanic Gardens was grilling meat from Chapel Furlong Farm and the fresh donut stall was particularly popular.

Eccelston George began creating two large stone hop flowers to commemorate the event.

POLICE WARNING AFTER OUTBOARD ENGINES STOLEN


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SPORT

THE ISLE OF WIGHT rugby club’s second team suffered a comprehensive 51-7 defeat at Wootton Rec. against United Services Portsmouth.

The hastily arranged friendly pitted the Island against opposition two leagues higher than them, and the final score mirrored the gulf in class. Nevertheless, the home side were competitive for most of the

game, starting very well and forcing a penalty opportunity inside three minutes. Kieran Leahy failed with the kick, and shortly afterwards the Navy side landed three points of their own.

The game was closely fought in the opening half hour, the visitors scoring a try to lead 8-0, though the Island also mounted promising attacks. Josh Sayers was at the

heart of many of these, ably supported by Ollie Boulter and Brandon Frost-Jones. A

chip through by Sam Tyson was almost touched down by Ryan Leal, but opportunities came and went. Scrums and lineouts were also evenly

contested at this stage, Josh Wright impressing in his first game at prop. It

was turnovers that cost the Islanders another penalty followed by a controversial try, as the US winger appeared to have both feet

in touch before racing away to score. Another turnover and converted try left the half-time score at 25-0.

USP started the second half confidently, doing the basics well and putting the Island under pressure. Defence was stout in this period, but USP managed a further try before the IW got on the scoresheet. Industrious scrum-half Colman Cotter

moved quick ball along the line, where Sayers broke a tackle on halfway and went clear for a fine try, which Leahy converted.

The last ten minutes were disappointing for the Islanders, as they accumulated injuries and mistakes, and the efficient visitors ran in three further tries to embellish the scoreline.

SECOND XV TUMBLE TO DEFEAT BY USP“Scrums and lineouts were also evenly contested at this stage.”

A VAST improvement in focus and attitude allowed the Islanders to push their visitors all the way in this keenly fought Hampshire One match. But for the amount of penalties conceded, the home side could have taken the points.

The Island side edged the scrum at the start, but both sides took a little time

to settle. It was an early USP penalty that resulted in the only score of the first half, but both sides were focused on attack. The Island had several opportunities to score, but turned over ball at vital times.

The second half followed much the same way, with both sides forcing the other back, with defence winning

out. However, a succession of penalties on the Island line finally paid as USP scored and converted.

The Island fought back and even thought a score was on the cards, but for an offside call. USP took the only opportunities on offer, two penalties, to shut the game out.

The Island now face a tough few weeks, chasing that first win, but with injured players due to

return and the attitude and determination of Saturday, that should not be far off. Saturday sees the 1st XV away to Romsey while the 2nd XV play Portsmouth 4ths at home.

IWRFC: G Warville, C Williams, N Brading, D Taylor, D Gilpin, P Baldwin, B Evans, N Puckett, E Lynch, J Nicholls, A White, A Thomas, D Metcalfe, M Newnham, I Puzey, K Scovell, S Lock.

IWRFC 0 US Portsmouth 16

ISLAND GO DOWN FIGHTING

JACK’S ALL RIGHT AS HE LIFTS BOWLS TITLE

THE ISLE OF WIGHT under-18s open bowls championship proved to be one of the most closely contested competitions ever held among the Island’s junior bowlers.

Young bowlers, aged between 12 and 17 years of age, from clubs all over the Island, converged on Shanklin BC and played some of the finest bowls by this age group on the island for many years.

Spectators were treated to some very close competitive games in which all the players supported each other. Winners and losers all showed a great deal of composure and etiquette which was a great credit to their coaches and clubs.

The competition was played on a Round Robin basis over 7 ends per game, with the top two going through to contest

the final which was played over 10 ends.

The first round games were closely contested with Lucas Trigg, Ryan Trigg, Josh Berry and Jack Berry winning their first games. The second round saw Jack continue his winning ways with a 7 shot to 2 win over Josh and Travis Meller coming into the frame with a win over Peter Wheeler by 8 shots to 6.

In the third round Travis and Jack met, and with Travis losing his first round match he had to win this game to have a chance of being in the frame for the final. This was a close encounter and Travis managed to win by 7 shots to 4. Josh Berry had a convincing win over Liam Westmore as did Ryan Trigg over his younger brother Lucas. Josh then went on to beat Lucas in the fourth

round to keep himself in the hunt for a place in the final however, both Travis and Jack continued their winning ways and although Josh played well he ended up in third place behind Jack and Travis who both had equal points at the end of the Round Robin section.

The final between Jack and Travis proved to be a close affair between two very good competitive young bowlers. Jack took an early two-shot lead and Travis hit back with three shots on the second end. The score was all square at five shots each at five ends and Travis then took the lead at the seventh end to lead by seven shots to six.

Jack played a superb eighth end to pick up a full count of 4 shots and then a single shot on the ninth end to have a 4 shot leading into the final end.

Travis tried everything in his armoury to try to pick up the four shots he needed to take the game into an extra end, but Jack, playing some good positional bowls restricted Travis to two shots and won the match by 11 shots to nine, and the title of Bowls Isle of Wight U18’s Champion 2010.

By the end of the day both Travis and Jack had played 52 ends of bowls over five hours proving that fitness, stamina and concentration has a major part to play in this type of competition and it was a credit to both players how well they performed throughout the day.

Mrs. Maureen Hastings, the Lady President of Bowls Isle of Wight presented Travis with his runners up trophy and Jack with the Kompan Cup.


SPORT

VALE SHOWS WAY IN MEDAL DAVE VALE scored a gross 75 to win Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club’s Monthly Medal. He finished one shot ahead of Gary Meszynski, with Aggy Iona (78) third.

The Division 1 nett winner was Alan Evans, who carded a 66, two ahead of John Liddelow, George Beardsmore and Aggy Iona 68.

Division 2 honours were taken by Mark Linington (66) from Peter Rush (70), David Buckman (71)

and Dave Warrick (71).Other recent results:

Ladies Monthly Stableford: Winner Julie Miller 33. Ladies Monthly Stableford & Autumn Trophy: Winner Jan Hill 42. 2nd Christine Smith 40. 3rd Judy Richardson 37. 4th Debbie Berry 37. 5th Sheryl Jackson 36.

Open Stableford Division 1: Winner Alex Messing 40. 2nd Miles Oldershaw 39. Division 2:

Winner Ken Barr 37. 2nd Adrian Sothcott 37.

Ladies Invitation (Pts) Winners Pat Metcalf, Elaine Hunter, Lillian Bushby, Jackie Thow 88. 2nd Lynn Aylott, Pat Long, Joy Jenkins, Anne Rogers 87. 3rd Joyce Petrie, Sarah Hopcroft, Lorrie Hawkins, Liz Cunningham 87.

Seniors - Handley Veterans Trophy Nett: Winner John Salter 61. 2nd Barry Groves 66. 3rd Gwynn White 66.

Open Medal Nett: Winner Darren Robertson 65. 2nd James Summers

66. 3rd Dave Vale 66.Open Stableford

Division 1: Winner Richard Scoble 41. 2nd Colin Wilkins 38. 3rd Mike Jones 38. 4th Elliot Jones 37. Division 2: Winner Mike Baker 41. 2nd Tony Cole 38. 3rd David Kiely 37. 4th Tim Ellis 37.

Members of Camphill Golf Society enjoyed sunny conditions at Freshwater Bay Golf Club.

The morning medal for the Rapid Fit trophy was

won by Alison Wren with a score of nett 72 beating John Stafford also with 72 on countback. In third place with 73 was Brian Gilbert.

The afternoon 10-hole stableford was won by Rex Ringer with 21 points beating his brother George into second place with 20, third with 19 points was Kev Phelps. The two nearest the pin prizes were awarded to John Lee and Kev Thompson.

ISLAND cricketer Danny Briggs has taken another huge step towards international stardom.

Briggs has been selected to travel to Australia with the England Performance Squad. The 19-year-old spin bowler, who had a sensational season for Hampshire this summer, is among 16 players in the squad.

They will leave for Down Under early next month, and return shortly before Christmas, their trip coinciding with the first part of England’s trip to defend the Ashes against the Aussies.

Briggs, who comes from Ryde,

played regularly for Ventnor before making the big step up to the County scene, and his bowling has earned him plaudits from many big names in the game.

He was particularly impressive in helping Hampshire to the Twenty20 title against Somerset at Southampton Rose Bowl Stadium. Throughout the tournament he took 24 wickets for 357 runs, at an average of 14.87, and was then names man of the match in the thrilling final.

He will spend two weeks in Brisbane, and two weeks in Perth during his trip to Australia.

DANNY ON WAYDOWN UNDER NEXT MONTHGREAT GOALS GIVE

BRADING THE EDGEVics Youth 1 Brading 2

BRADING under-11s scored two cracking long range goals through Harry Woolford and Liam Stenning to go two up in their Sunday League away game. Vics replied with a goal on the stroke of half time.

Brading played the second half against the wind and heavy rain. But inspired defending from the whole team and a great goal keeping display from Brading’s man of the match Lewis Evans gave the boys a thoroughly deserved victory.

WALKER RUNS IT JAMES WALKER, a member of Steyning Runners from West Sussex, was the convincing winner of the 54th Isle of Wight marathon.

Walker took the honours in treacherous conditions in a time of 2hours, 53mins, 21secs, despite running for much of the 26 miles with a leg strain.

The event attracted nearly 140 athletes of all standards, and the first Islander to cross the line was Will Ambrosini, of Ryde Harriers, who also finished fourth overall in a time of 3.01.48.

TOBY STARS AS GURNARD WIN

Rew Valley 1 Gurnard Gladiators 4GURNARD GLADIATORS faced early pressure but scored two counter-attacking goals through Toby Cousins and Dan Pearson before Anthony Kettell got one back for Rew Valley. But Gurnard rounded off an excellent all round performance with two more goals in the second half from Toby Cousins and man of the match Tom Stone to record back to back wins! Rew Valley’s man of the match was Declan Morgan-Phillips.

COLTS EDGE ITIN THRILLER

Newport Colts 6 - Rew Valley 5NEWPORT Colts conceded two early goals against a lively and improved Rew Valley side. Then they got into the game with great goals from Olly McCloughlin, C J Margallo and Ben Holdsworth.

Rew Valley responded, and with the help of Harry Cantania and Cairan Gibson they brought the scores level at 5-5, before Colts got the winner through Tyler Greenslade.



NEWS FOR US?

NEWPORT are through to the second round of the FA Vase after a convincing 3-0 win over Shoreham at St George’s Park.

The Island side were always in control and built a two-goal lead before half time through Tom Dunford and Charlie Smeeton. Then in-form Iain Seabrook rattled home a free kick in the second period to ensure a safe passage to the next stage.

Brading Town were comfortable 4-2 winners over St Francis Rangers thanks to a well-taken hat-trick by Kyle Levrier. Scott Jones scored the other

goal for the Romans to secure victory.

Cowes Sports were also in goods form in their Sydenhams Wessex League, Division One clash with Pewsey Vale, taking the points with a 4-1 success. Darren Williams scored twice, and the other Sports marksmen were Gareth Bricknell and Dominic Burbidge.

East Cowes Vics completed a fine day for the Island’s top teams by defeating Tadley Calleva 4-0. The goalscorers by Alex Harvey, Kai Barnes, Joe Tigwell and Freddie Knowles.

PORT KEEP VASE DREAM WELL ON COURSE


SPORT

GazetteTHE ISLE OF WIGHT

SportIAN ROWS TO RUNNER-UP

THREE members of the Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club Veterans Squad attended the Wallingford Long Distance Sculling.

The race is held over a 4,250m course from the Railway Bridge to the Oxford University Boat Club

boat house at Wallingford Marina, and is of a very high standard with many international oarsman and women competing over the years. Entries have included Sir Steve Redgrave and James Cracknell. This year was no exception with a very high standard and

over 400 crews and scullers competing.

Unfortunately Ryde sculler Russell Page suffered a recurrence of a recent back injury and was forced to withdraw. However, Ian Hayden and Simon Saunders were able to compete, both in the

Master B Single Sculls and both acquitted themselves well with Ian finishing in second place and Simon in fourth in their event.

Ian’s time of 19mins 14 secs was less than two minutes behind the winning time. Simon completed the course in 21mins 6secs.

THUNDER KEEP STORM GOINGISLE OF WIGHT Thunder under-16 ice hockey team played their first home game of the season, and continued the impressive form shown at Lee Valley with a thumping 10-0 victory over Streatham.

The first period started with both teams playing some attractive hockey, but neither penetrating enough to cause any major problems to either netminder. It was however very evident that the home team were full of confidence and they showed it by gradually grinding down the visitors.

Thunder needed a goal to set the winning wheels in motion and it duly came from Altermate captain Archie Bicknell who broke free down

the left and placed shot into the top left corner.

As always the goal allowed the whole team to relax and take the upper hand. A few minutes later Bicknell doubled both his and the team’s tally with another well placed goal.

There was time for one more goal before the interval when Sean Molloy finished a sublime move by again beating the Streatham goalie.

The second period was totally dominated by the Thunder who had a comfortable goal cushion which allowed them to dictate all areas of the ice. Further goals were added by Alex Trendall and Aidan Doughty, the pick coming from Trendall who drove up centre ice whilst Doughty

found a cross ice pass which fell perfectly on the stick of Trendall who placed an exquisite low shot into the back of the net.

The final period was about all the players getting good ice time and keeping a clean sheet for Aaron Craft between the pipes. Further goals were added by Eden Holton and Doughty to end the game with a superb ten goals to nil win.

Once again the all round team performance and attitude was spot on. There were also three new players in Alistair Copping, Lee Tyers and Jesse Scott-Donagh who all did themselves proud in their first ever game.

So after their first two games of the season against good

opposition the Thunder have scored 16 and have yet to concede.

Man of the match: Alexander Trendall. Spirit of the game: Lee Tyers.

Points: Aidan Doughty 5+1, Archie Bicknnell 2+1, Sean Molloy 1+1, Eden Holton 1+1, Alexander Trendall 1+0, Andrew McCloskey 0+1, Jordan Jacobs 0+1, Connor Price 0+1.

Team: Aaron Craft, Ross Beale, Lee Tyers, Alistair Copping, Jesse Scott-Donagh, Andrew McCloskey, Sean Molloy, Eden Holton, Jordan Jacobs, Alexander Trendall, Aidan Doughty, Ollie Bennett, Archie Bicknell, Connor Price, Jake Bontoft, Harrison Brown, Paedar Ives.

‘KING’ GIRLS ARE THE ISLAND QUEENS

CHRIST THE KING College Year 6 girls were the worthy winners of the Island under-11 seven-a- side competition.

They did not lose a single match or concede a goal with the exception of the penalty shoot out in the final against Lake. They worked particularly hard as they did not have any subs. They demonstrated great sportsmanship, good teamwork and played excellent throughout the tournament.

Pictured: Top Row (left to right): Georgia Bolland, Olivia Taylor, Emelia Matthews. Bottom Row (left to right): Joella Maddin, Eden Crumplin, Alisha Robinson, Emily Aldridge-Snell.


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IW Gazette 73